IAUI vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

IAUI (NEOS Gold High Income ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IAUI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Neos, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. IAUI is actively managed, while QYLD is passively managed. Over the past year, IAUI returned 10.68% vs 21.61% for QYLD. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IAUI charges 0.78%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

IAUI vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IAUI achieves a -8.62% return, which is significantly lower than QYLD's 7.65% return.

IAUI

• 1D: -3.16%
• 1M: -10.97%
• YTD: -8.62%
• 6M: -10.82%
• 1Y: 10.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QYLD

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 7.65%
• 6M: 7.29%
• 1Y: 21.61%
• 3Y*: 13.90%
• 5Y*: 8.17%
• 10Y*: 9.97%

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

IAUI vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
IAUI NEOS Gold High Income ETF	-8.62%	20.00%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.65%	14.66%

Correlation

The correlation between IAUI and QYLD is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2025	0.31

Return for Risk

IAUI vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

IAUI

IAUI Risk / Return Rank: 16
IAUI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
IAUI Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
IAUI Omega Ratio Rank: 18
IAUI Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
IAUI Martin Ratio Rank: 16

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 85
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 89
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

IAUI vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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.

	IAUI	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	2.24	-1.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	3.15	-2.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.50	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.48	4.37	-3.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.53	24.01	-22.48

IAUI vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IAUI Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IAUI and QYLD, 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

IAUI vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IAUI drawdown since its inception was -22.50%, smaller than the maximum QYLD drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IAUI and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	IAUI	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-24.75%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.50%	-4.97%	-17.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-22.50%	-2.32%	-20.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.20%	-3.82%	-0.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.01%	0.90%	+6.11%

Volatility

IAUI vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

NEOS Gold High Income ETF (IAUI) has a higher volatility of 8.26% compared to Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) at 4.79%. This indicates that IAUI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IAUI	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.26%	4.79%	+3.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.07%	8.45%	+11.62%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.66%	9.69%	+11.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.25%	14.84%	+6.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.25%	15.55%	+5.70%

IAUI vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IAUI has a 0.78% expense ratio, which is higher than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IAUI vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

IAUI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.28%, more than QYLD's 11.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAUI NEOS Gold High Income ETF	15.28%	6.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.71%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IAUI and QYLD in my portfolio?

IAUI and QYLD have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IAUI or QYLD?

IAUI has higher volatility (8.26%) compared to QYLD (4.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IAUI dropped -22.50% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which ETF is better, IAUI or QYLD?

On 1-year performance, QYLD leads with 21.61% vs 10.68% for IAUI. On fees, QYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, QYLD has been the lower-risk option at 4.79%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IAUI or QYLD?

Over the 1-year period, QYLD has performed better with a 21.61% return vs 10.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IAUI or QYLD?

QYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.78% for IAUI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IAUI or QYLD?

IAUI has the higher dividend yield at 15.28%, compared with 11.71% for QYLD.

What is the main difference between IAUI and QYLD?

IAUI is categorized as Derivative Income, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Neos and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.78% for IAUI and 0.60% for QYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.24 vs 0.50), 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.