CEPI vs. IQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CEPI (REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF) and IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CEPI is a Cryptocurrency fund actively managed by REX, while IQQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index. CEPI is actively managed, while IQQQ is passively managed. Over the past year, CEPI returned 34.07% vs 38.70% for IQQQ. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CEPI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for IQQQ.

Performance

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF (CEPI) and ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CEPI achieves a 20.71% return, which is significantly higher than IQQQ's 18.72% return.

CEPI

• 1D: -1.35%
• 1M: 7.21%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 18.40%
• 1Y: 34.07%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IQQQ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 18.72%
• 6M: 17.39%
• 1Y: 38.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CEPI REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF	20.71%	10.75%	-9.02%
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.72%	17.11%	-2.58%

Correlation

The correlation between CEPI and IQQQ is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 5, 2024	0.80

The correlation between CEPI and IQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.80 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CEPI vs. IQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CEPI

CEPI Risk / Return Rank: 32
CEPI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
CEPI Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
CEPI Omega Ratio Rank: 36
CEPI Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
CEPI Martin Ratio Rank: 26

IQQQ

IQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 70
IQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF (CEPI) and ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ). 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.

	CEPI	IQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	2.53	-1.25
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.78	3.27	-1.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.43	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	3.49	-1.97
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.62	12.41	-8.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CEPI Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is lower than the IQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CEPI and IQQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CEPI	IQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	2.53	-1.25
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.45	1.25	-0.80

Drawdowns

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CEPI drawdown since its inception was -29.48%, which is greater than IQQQ's maximum drawdown of -20.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CEPI and IQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CEPI	IQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.48%	-20.41%	-9.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.47%	-11.13%	-11.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.08%	-0.30%	-1.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.65%	-3.64%	-5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.43%	3.13%	+6.30%

Volatility

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Volatility Comparison

REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF (CEPI) has a higher volatility of 5.92% compared to ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) at 3.99%. This indicates that CEPI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CEPI	IQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.92%	3.99%	+1.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.94%	11.54%	+9.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.79%	15.40%	+11.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.57%	18.57%	+13.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.57%	18.57%	+13.00%

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CEPI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than IQQQ's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

CEPI vs. IQQQ - Dividend Comparison

CEPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 42.71%, more than IQQQ's 4.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
CEPI REX Crypto Equity Premium Income ETF	42.71%	50.78%	0.00%
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	4.42%	10.34%	7.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CEPI and IQQQ in my portfolio?

CEPI and IQQQ have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CEPI or IQQQ?

CEPI has higher volatility (5.92%) compared to IQQQ (3.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CEPI dropped -29.48% vs IQQQ's -20.41%.

Which ETF is better, CEPI or IQQQ?

On 1-year performance, IQQQ leads with 38.70% vs 34.07% for CEPI. On fees, IQQQ is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, IQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CEPI or IQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, IQQQ has performed better with a 38.70% return vs 34.07%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CEPI or IQQQ?

IQQQ is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for CEPI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CEPI or IQQQ?

CEPI has the higher dividend yield at 42.71%, compared with 4.42% for IQQQ.

What is the main difference between CEPI and IQQQ?

CEPI is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while IQQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: REX and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for CEPI and 0.55% for IQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.28), 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.