Balance income, total return and risk with JEPI

For investors assessing their equity allocation today, consider a compelling solution that seeks consistent monthly income with lower volatility than the U.S. stock market. Equity markets have been strong in recent years, delivering 20%+ in annualized returns going back to 2023 through today. Corporate earnings have been robust, and the S&P 500 Index has come off recent lofty valuations. Yet building portfolios today presents challenges as investors consider how long the equity rally will continue and navigate a higher inflationary environment, uncertain monetary policy, and stock/bond correlations which are elevated compared to recent periods (2000–2020). For these reasons, many are sitting in cash wondering what to do next and whether they’ve “missed it”. While cash has become a more attractive asset class, there is a meaningful opportunity cost to sitting on the sidelines.

For investors who are assessing their equity allocation today, a possible solution may be the actively managed JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI), which seeks consistent monthly income and appreciation potential, with lower volatility than the U.S. stock market.

Navigating the concentrated market rally

Equity markets continue to rise through the first half of 2026, with a broader set of stocks contributing to the S&P 500’s return year to date. However, the S&P 500 remains concentrated—with AI related industries making up ~50% of the S&P 500 and technology continuing to be a top performing sector. As a result, investors may be looking for ways to diversify and de-risk their U.S. equity exposure, as they consider upcoming volatility that could stem from the AI landscape, geopolitical tensions, and changes in monetary policy. Should market returns be more muted or volatile going forward, investors will continue to seek high levels of income as a way to contribute to their portfolios’ total return profile. A conservative equity income strategy designed to reduce downside exposure by forgoing some upside participation.

A conservative equity ETF seeking income as the outcome, balanced with an attractive total return

JEPI is a highly liquid ETF offering daily transparency and tax efficiency at a low cost. The strategy combines equities with options to strike a balance among yield, capital growth and risk.

JEPI seeks to deliver a significant portion of the returns associated with the S&P 500 Index with less volatility, in addition to monthly income. Here’s how it works: We use fundamental bottom-up research to build a diversified, higher-quality, lower-beta portfolio of U.S. large cap equities with less volatile earnings and share prices. We then sell index options against that long-only portfolio and use the premiums to generate income. The result is a conservative equity income strategy designed to reduce downside exposure by forgoing some upside participation.

With JEPI, investors receive:

• Fully active, broadly diversified equity portfolio: Leverages 20+ research analysts and an over 30-year+ proprietary process to find attractive stocks across sectors. Provides an underlying portfolio diversified across stocks and sectors.
• Innovative income: Avoids the duration risk of higher-yielding bonds and the quality risk of higher-yielding stocks and extended fixed income sectors.
• Unique options strategy: Sells call options every week to adapt to changing market conditions. When volatility spikes and interest rates rise, for example, JEPI has the potential to provide higher income when investors most need the cushion against fluctuating prices.
• 100% payouts: Distributes all monthly income from dividends and options premium, which are treated as coupons (distribution tax characterization may vary; please refer to fund distribution/tax information).

JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF at a glance

Ticker – JEPI
Expenses – 0.35%
Strategy – Combines defensive U.S. large cap equity portfolio with options overlay to pursue income and capital appreciation

Four ways to build stronger portfolios with JEPI

Add to income portfolios to pursue consistent, attractive yields regardless of what happens with interest rates or equity dividends. Replace or complement higher-yielding bonds with a strategy offering no duration or credit risk and comparable, if not higher, income potential in exchange for more beta. Deploy excess cash for investors looking to ease back into stocks with about one-third less volatility. De-risk equity portfolios by locking in gains from dividend strategies and reinvesting the proceeds in a more conservative alternative.

With a record amount of cash on the sidelines, now is the time to be creative and active in your search for yield and total return. Discover how JEPI can help you solve for both market participation and income without sacrificing quality, liquidity or long-term growth potential.

Source: Bloomberg as of August 2026.

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