AGG vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

AGG (iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - AGG is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, while QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos. AGG is passively managed, while QQQI is actively managed. Over the past year, AGG returned 4.96% vs 30.39% for QQQI. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. AGG charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

AGG vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AGG achieves a 0.61% return, which is significantly lower than QQQI's 13.53% return.

AGG

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 0.61%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 4.96%
• 3Y*: 4.06%
• 5Y*: 0.18%
• 10Y*: 1.56%

QQQI

• 1D: 2.67%
• 1M: 3.39%
• YTD: 13.53%
• 6M: 14.57%
• 1Y: 30.39%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AGG vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	0.61%	7.19%	2.12%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.53%	18.62%	19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between AGG and QQQI is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.16

The correlation between AGG and QQQI shifts across timeframes, from 0.16 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AGG vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AGG

AGG Risk / Return Rank: 40
AGG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
AGG Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
AGG Omega Ratio Rank: 39
AGG Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
AGG Martin Ratio Rank: 37

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 79

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AGG vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	AGG	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	2.14	-0.82
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	2.81	-0.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.40	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	3.18	-1.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.30	13.66	-8.36

AGG vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AGG Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is lower than the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AGG and QQQI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

AGG vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AGG drawdown since its inception was -18.43%, smaller than the maximum QQQI drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AGG and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	AGG	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.43%	-20.00%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-9.61%	+6.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.11%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.82%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.43%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.79%	-0.09%	-1.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.71%	-2.21%	-0.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	2.23%	-1.29%

Volatility

AGG vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) is 1.37%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 6.63%. This indicates that AGG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AGG	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.37%	6.63%	-5.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.81%	11.63%	-8.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.80%	14.33%	-10.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.10%	17.41%	-11.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.41%	17.41%	-12.00%

AGG vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

AGG has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

AGG vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

AGG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.97%, less than QQQI's 13.18% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AGG iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF	3.97%	3.89%	3.74%	3.13%	2.39%	1.77%	2.14%	2.70%	2.72%	2.32%	2.39%	2.45%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.18%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AGG and QQQI in my portfolio?

AGG and QQQI have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AGG or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to AGG (1.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AGG dropped -18.43% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, AGG or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 30.39% vs 4.96% for AGG. On fees, AGG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, AGG has been the lower-risk option at 1.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, AGG or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 30.39% return vs 4.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, AGG or QQQI?

AGG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, AGG or QQQI?

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.18%, compared with 3.97% for AGG.

What is the main difference between AGG and QQQI?

AGG is categorized as Total Bond Market, while QQQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for AGG and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.32), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.