Individual BDCs and low-cost ETFs offer yields above 9% versus BIZD’s 0.89% fee after accounting for expenses.
Investors seeking $10,000 annual income from a $100,000 portfolio may find better returns in individual business development companies (BDCs) or lower-cost ETFs than the VanEck BDC Income ETF (BIZD). BIZD’s stated 0.89% fee rises sharply after accounting for acquired fund fees and expenses (AFFE), reducing net yields for holders.
Over the past decade, Ares Capital (ARCC) returned 231%, nearly double BIZD’s 112% total return. Alternatives like PBDC offer similar BDC exposure at a 0.13% net expense ratio, while Capital Southwest (CSWC) supports a 9.26% forward yield with a 99% first-lien loan book.
BDC dividends are taxed as ordinary income, making tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs preferable for holding these assets. The shift away from BIZD could accelerate as investors prioritize direct holdings for higher yields and lower costs.