Index vs. Single-Stock Option Income ETFs by the Numbers: Size, Fees and Flows

By Adam Patti, Chief Executive Officer, VistaShares | Published November 13, 2026

Option income ETFs that sell options on a broad stock index and those that sell options on one company’s stock now exist in similar numbers. Their size is a different matter. Index-based funds hold almost all of the money, charge less at the median and drew new money in the latest week, while single-stock funds are many, small and more expensive. This page compares the two groups with dated figures.

Figure	Measured against a broad index	Measured against a single stock
Funds tracked by ETFIQ (Nov 12, 2026)	137	118
Share of the 396 option income ETFs ETFIQ tracks (Nov 12, 2026)	137 of 396	118 of 396
Combined net assets (Nov 12, 2026)	$185.3 billion, 130 of 137 funds reporting	$6.9 billion, all 118 funds reporting
Median yearly fee, per prospectus (Nov 12, 2026)	0.79%	1.01%
Largest single fund, net assets	$47.1 billion (Nov 12, 2026)	$1.1 billion (Nov 11, 2026)
Largest fund’s share of the group’s reported assets, calculated (Nov 11 to 12, 2026)	About 25%	About 16%
Net flows, week to Nov 11, 2026	$1.3 billion in	$26 million out
Funds with daily data, week to Nov 11, 2026	91 of 137	76 of 118

Sources: ETFIQ income ETFs measured against a broad index and ETFIQ income ETFs measured against a single stock, data as of Nov 12, 2026, flows as of Nov 11, 2026; group counts within the 396, ETFIQ income ETFs, as of Nov 12, 2026. The share of assets in the largest fund is calculated from the two ETFIQ figures above it. Flows count only funds with daily share data.

What is the difference between the two groups?

ETFIQ sorts option income ETFs by the benchmark each one is measured against. A fund in the broad index group sells options on, or measures itself against, a wide stock index such as the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq-100. A fund in the single-stock group does the same with one company’s shares. The two groups together make up 255 of the 396 option income ETFs ETFIQ tracked on November 12, 2026; the rest are measured against a sector or theme, bonds, metals, crypto or other benchmarks.

The choice of underlying shapes almost everything else. A single stock can swing much more than an index, so the options written on it carry higher premiums, and the fund’s value can rise and fall sharply with that one company. Our article on index vs. single-stock covered calls explains the trade-off in detail.

How large is each group?

The 130 index-based funds that reported assets held a combined $185.3 billion as of November 12, 2026. The 118 single-stock funds held $6.9 billion. With a similar number of funds, the index group holds more than 25 times as much money.

The largest index-based fund held $47.1 billion, about a quarter of its group’s reported assets. The largest single-stock fund held $1.1 billion as of November 11, 2026, which makes it the giant of its group as well, at about 16% of the total. Most single-stock funds are small: the group’s average works out to under $60 million a fund. Small funds can trade with wider spreads and are more likely to close; our article on what happens when an ETF closes explains the process.

How do fees compare?

The median index-based option income ETF charged 0.79% a year, and the median single-stock fund charged 1.01%, as of November 12, 2026. Across all 396 option income ETFs the median was 0.94%.

Single-stock funds often trade options more frequently, sometimes weekly, and many are run as part of a large series with one fund per company. Both add cost. The fee in each fund’s prospectus is the figure that applies to an investor, and it does not include the trading costs inside the fund.

Where has money been flowing?

In the week to November 11, 2026, index-based option income funds with daily data took in a net $1.3 billion across 91 funds, while single-stock funds lost a net $26 million across 76 funds. A single week can swing on a few large trades, so a longer window gives a better sense of direction.

For the option income category as a whole, ETFIQ estimated a net inflow of $4.8 billion in the month to November 11, 2026, across 224 funds with daily data. Flow estimates use each fund’s daily change in shares outstanding multiplied by the prior day’s net asset value.

What should investors check in each group?

For index-based funds: which index the options are written on, how much of the portfolio is covered by options and how often the options are rolled. Our guide to comparing covered call ETFs walks through each point.

For single-stock funds: how the fund gets its exposure to the stock, how much of the company’s upside it gives up and how its value has tracked the stock over time. Our article on single-stock ETFs covers the structure.

For both: distributions are not the same as total return, and part of a distribution can be classified as return of capital for tax purposes. More income articles are in the Income ETF Guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many single-stock option income ETFs are there?

ETFIQ counted 118 option income ETFs measured against a single stock on November 12, 2026, and 137 measured against a broad index.

Which group holds more money?

The broad index group, by far: $185.3 billion against $6.9 billion as of November 12, 2026.

Why do single-stock option income ETFs charge more?

They often trade options more often and are typically run in large series with one fund per company. The median fee was 1.01%, against 0.79% for index-based funds, on November 12, 2026.

Why are single-stock option premiums higher?

One company’s stock usually moves more than a broad index, and option buyers pay more for options on assets that move more. Higher premiums come with higher risk to the fund’s value.

Do these groups include every option income ETF?

No. Together they cover 255 of the 396 funds ETFIQ tracks. Others are measured against a sector or theme, bonds, metals, crypto or other benchmarks.

Where do the flow figures come from?

ETFIQ estimates them from daily changes in shares outstanding. Only funds with daily share data are counted, which is why the number of funds is shown.

Adam Patti, Chief Executive Officer of VistaShares, is also the founder of ETFIQ. ETFIQ does not accept payment from ETF issuers, and its figures are calculated from public filings and market data.

Cite this page: Adam Patti, "Index vs. Single-Stock Option Income ETFs by the Numbers: Size, Fees and Flows," VistaShares, updated November 13, 2026, https://www.vistashares.com/index-vs-single-stock-option-income-etfs-by-the-numbers/. Plain-text version.

This material is provided for educational purposes only. It is not investment, legal or tax advice, and it is not a recommendation or an offer to buy or sell any security. Information is drawn from sources believed to be reliable as of the date of publication, is not guaranteed as to accuracy or completeness, and may change without notice. Figures attributed to third parties are their estimates. Projections and forecasts are not guarantees of future results. Investors should consult their own financial, legal and tax professionals before making investment decisions. Investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Strategies that use options involve additional risks, including limited participation in market gains, the risk that options do not perform as intended, and changes in distributions. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and on current law, which may change.

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