GLD vs. QQQY

Last updated Jun 16, 2026

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance. GLD is passively managed, while QQQY is actively managed. Over the past year, GLD returned 25.38% vs 34.98% for QQQY. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for QQQY.

Performance

GLD vs. QQQY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GLD achieves a 0.06% return, which is significantly lower than QQQY's 18.97% return.

GLD

• 1D: 2.59%
• 1M: -4.97%
• YTD: 0.06%
• 6M: 0.19%
• 1Y: 25.38%
• 3Y*: 29.73%
• 5Y*: 18.31%
• 10Y*: 12.33%

QQQY

• 1D: 3.07%
• 1M: 4.23%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 19.80%
• 1Y: 34.98%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GLD vs. QQQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.06%	63.68%	26.66%	7.96%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	18.97%	14.96%	7.70%	7.19%

Correlation

The correlation between GLD and QQQY is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.13

The correlation between GLD and QQQY shifts across timeframes, from 0.13 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GLD vs. QQQY — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 27
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 31
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 24

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 76
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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.

GLD vs. QQQY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). 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.

	GLD	QQQY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	2.32	-1.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.30	2.91	-1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.44	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.04	3.15	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.97	12.91	-9.93

GLD vs. QQQY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLD Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is lower than the QQQY Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLD and QQQY, 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

GLD vs. QQQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, which is greater than QQQY's maximum drawdown of -19.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and QQQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLD	QQQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-19.05%	-26.51%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.46%	-11.14%	-13.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.46%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.46%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.03%	-0.45%	-19.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-2.92%	-13.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.59%	2.72%	+5.87%

Volatility

GLD vs. QQQY - Volatility Comparison

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) has a higher volatility of 8.37% compared to Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) at 7.60%. This indicates that GLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GLD	QQQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.37%	7.60%	+0.77%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.21%	13.19%	+11.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.49%	15.20%	+12.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.26%	15.22%	+3.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.10%	15.22%	+0.88%

GLD vs. QQQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLD vs. QQQY - Dividend Comparison

GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 34.34%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	34.34%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GLD and QQQY in my portfolio?

GLD and QQQY have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GLD or QQQY?

GLD has higher volatility (8.37%) compared to QQQY (7.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs QQQY's -19.05%.

Which ETF is better, GLD or QQQY?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 34.98% vs 25.38% for GLD. On fees, GLD is cheaper at 0.40% per year. On volatility, QQQY has been the lower-risk option at 7.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GLD or QQQY?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 34.98% return vs 25.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLD or QQQY?

GLD is cheaper with a 0.40% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GLD or QQQY?

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 34.34%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between GLD and QQQY?

GLD is categorized as Gold, while QQQY is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Defiance. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.99% for QQQY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.32 vs 0.93), 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.