What this ETF is trying to do

Source Capital Inc (SOR) is an ETF traded on the NYSE. While the specific goals of the fund are not listed in the data, it provides regular cash distributions to its investors.

What the numbers show

As of September 18, 2026, the share price was $45.32. To understand how the fund has performed, we look at two different types of returns: price return (the change in the share price) and total return (which includes the share price change plus distributions).

• Year-to-Date (YTD): The price return is -0.96%, but the total return is 3.09%.

• One Year: The price return is 0.47%, while the total return is 6.01%.

• Three Year: The price return is 15.82%, and the total return is 48.07%.

• Five Year: The total return is 52.87%.

An estimated price from roughly one year ago was $45.11. If you had invested $10,000 based on that estimated price, the price-only growth (excluding distributions) would have resulted in a small increase.

Income and distribution explanation

This ETF usually pays out distributions monthly. Over the last 12 months, it made 12 payouts totaling approximately $2.50 per share. This results in a distribution yield of about 5.52%.

It is important for beginners to know that a high distribution yield alone can be misleading. A yield tells you how much cash you are getting relative to the price, but it does not guarantee that your original investment (the principal) is safe.

NAV erosion explanation

"NAV erosion" happens when the actual value of the assets inside an ETF drops over time, often causing the share price to fall.

For this ETF, the erosion-risk score is 94, and the severity is labeled as "good." The erosion label is "Stable / sideways," and the severe erosion-risk flag is false. This means the screening rules did not detect a dangerous trend of price deterioration.

Pros

• Consistent Income: The fund has a history of monthly payouts.

• Stability: The erosion-risk measurements suggest the price has remained stable or moved sideways.

• Positive Total Returns: Over the one, three, and five-year periods, the total returns have been positive.

Cons

• Low Price Growth: The one-year price return (0.47%) is very low compared to the total return.

• Recent Dip: The year-to-date price return is slightly negative (-0.96%).

Beginner takeaway

Source Capital Inc (SOR) provides a steady stream of monthly income. While the share price itself has not grown much over the last year, the total return is higher because of the distributions. Investors often look for a balance between getting cash income and keeping their principal investment stable.