JEPI ETF REVIEW: JPMorgan Equity Premium Income

What’s JEPI’s investment objective?

The JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) is an income focused covered call ETF. It’s ideal for conservative investors who are seeking income and moderate growth. The manager of JEPI invests in a portfolio of stocks that combine 3 characteristics:

• Part of the S&P 500, so in other word large cap stocks only;
• Low volatility stocks, meaning, stocks that fluctuate far less than the market. This is generally the case of defensive stocks operating in stable industries. The main metric used by the fund manager of JEPI to assess volatility is the Beta. Beta is a coefficient risk, for instance a Beta of 0.5 would indicate that the stock exhibits 50% of the volatility of the stock market;
• Value stocks: the analysts’ team of JEPI will conduct a fundamental bottom up approach to select only stocks that are considered undervalued.

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To enhance yield, JEPI issues call options to collect premiums. Issuing call options accomplishes two objectives:

• Enhance the distribution yield;
• Lower the risk.

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Why add JEPI to your portfolio?

Adding JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF) to your portfolio can bring several benefits, especially for those looking for additional income with managed risk levels. Here’s a detailed breakdown of why JEPI might be a worthwhile addition:

Additional Income with Managed Volatility

JEPI is known for its attractive yield, which is achieved through a strategy of issuing call options on equity positions. This method provides investors with a steady income stream, making it an appealing option for those in search of high yields without the high volatility often associated with equity investments. Its performance is designed to be less volatile compared to direct investments in equities or equity indexes like the S&P 500, making it a safer bet for conservative investors or those nearing retirement.

Alternative to Long-Duration Bonds

In a low-interest-rate environment, traditional bond investments might not offer sufficient returns. JEPI can serve as an alternative, providing potentially higher income without the interest rate risk associated with long-duration bond ETFs. This feature makes JEPI a versatile tool in diversifying income sources within a portfolio.

Risk Reduction for Equity Portfolios

Incorporating JEPI can help mitigate the overall risk of an equity-focused portfolio. By design, JEPI’s strategy of option writing can smooth out market volatility, offering a more stable return profile. This makes it an excellent choice for investors looking to dampen the risk without completely moving away from equities.

Is JEPI a good investment?

When considering JEPI as an investment, it’s essential to weigh its positives and negatives to determine if it aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance.

Positives

JEPI stands out for its attractive yield, which is primarily derived from the income earned by issuing call options. This strategy not only provides a steady income stream but also contributes to lower volatility compared to direct equity investments or equity index ETFs like the S&P 500. This characteristic makes JEPI particularly appealing to conservative investors and income seekers who prioritize stability and consistent returns.

The fund’s performance is notably more robust in high volatility environments, where the premiums earned from the call options can increase, thereby enhancing the income generated. For investors interested in an options strategy without the complexity and time commitment, JEPI offers a convenient solution, effectively saving time and effort. Additionally, its relatively low fees, with a total expense ratio of 0.35%, make it an economically viable option for income generation.

Another significant advantage of JEPI is its diversification. The ETF maintains a broad exposure across various sectors, thereby mitigating sector-specific risks and contributing to a more stable investment experience.

Negatives

However, there are considerations to keep in mind. In bull markets, JEPI’s strategy of issuing call options may lead to underperformance relative to the broader equity market. This is because the call options cap the upside potential, which means that while the income from option premiums can provide some cushion, it may not fully capture the extent of a market rally. This trade-off between lower volatility and capped upside potential is a crucial factor to consider, especially for investors who might prefer to participate more fully in market upswings.

In conclusion, JEPI offers a compelling mix of income potential and reduced volatility, making it an attractive option for certain investor profiles. However, its relative performance in bull markets and the inherent trade-offs of its options strategy necessitate a careful assessment of how JEPI fits within an individual’s broader investment strategy and objectives.

Expected investment outcome with covered call ETFs

In a robust bull market, where the price of the underlying stock rises above the strike price plus the option premium, the covered call writer will underperform.

Due to earning the option premium, the covered call writer can normally anticipate to outperform merely holding the stock in flat, decreasing, and mildly rising markets.

Why covered call ETFs are popular?

Covered call ETFs are very popular with American and Canadian investors. Two reasons push investors towards covered call ETFs:

• High dividend yield: thanks to the premiums earned when writing call options, the manager under certain conditions can earn premiums and enhance distributions;

• Low volatility. Writing a call option is a conservative strategy aimed at reducing volatility;

• Great for passive income: if you’re main objective is to achieve high dividend yields and build passive income, then covered call ETFs are a good option. But, remember the high dividend yield comes at a price which very low growth potential.

JEPI ETF Performance and Dividend yield

As of July 19th, 10.92% is the Dividend yield as per Yahoo Finance.

JEPI vs JEPQ

When considering whether JEPI and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income) ETFs are good investments, it’s essential to understand the key differences between the two.

JEPI

JEPI, an ETF focused on issuing call options, offers several advantages that might appeal to certain investors. Firstly, it boasts an attractive yield derived from the money earned through call option writing. Moreover, JEPI exhibits lower volatility compared to investing directly in an S&P 500 index ETF like SPY, making it a suitable option for conservative investors and income seekers.

Another positive aspect of JEPI is its ability to capitalize on high volatility, which often translates to increased premiums for the fund. Additionally, investors can save valuable time and effort by avoiding the need to personally write call options on the S&P 500, as JEPI handles this strategy on their behalf. Furthermore, with relatively low fees of 0.35% total expense ratio, JEPI presents a cost-effective investment choice. The ETF’s diversification across various sectors adds another layer of appeal, spreading risk across different industries.

However, JEPI does have some drawbacks that potential investors should consider. In bull markets, it is expected to underperform the S&P 500 index due to the call option writing strategy, which reduces volatility but also limits its performance during bullish periods.

JEPQ

On the other hand, the JEPQ ETF, focused on writing call options on the NASDAQ 100, offers similar benefits to JEPI. It provides an attractive yield from call option writing and boasts lower volatility compared to a NASDAQ 100 ETF like QQQ, appealing to conservative investors and income seekers.

However, JEPQ has some significant negatives that investors need to be aware of. It tends to perform poorly during bullish market conditions, as the covered call strategy curtails the upside potential of the NASDAQ 100. Additionally, the covered call strategy becomes less effective in unpredictable markets, which could impact the ETF’s overall performance.

Furthermore, JEPQ’s lack of diversification is a notable concern, with a heavy concentration in tech firms dominating the fund. This lack of diversification exposes investors to higher risks compared to a more balanced investment approach.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether JEPI or JEPQ is a good investment depends on individual investor preferences, risk tolerance, and market outlook. JEPI’s lower volatility and diversification across sectors could be attractive to those seeking stability and income, while JEPQ’s focus on the NASDAQ 100 may appeal to tech-focused investors. It is crucial for investors to conduct thorough research, consider their financial goals, and consult with a financial advisor to make informed investment decisions.

JEPI ETF Holdings

Top 10 Holdings

JEPI sector Exposure

JEPI Dividend Schedule

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