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IEF vs. QYLD
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IEF vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

IEF (iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IEF is a Government Bonds fund tracking the ICE U.S. Treasury 7-10 Year Bond Index, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEF returned 0.53%/yr vs 9.77%/yr for QYLD. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. IEF charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

IEF vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEF achieves a -1.16% return, which is significantly lower than QYLD's 7.05% return. Over the past 10 years, IEF has underperformed QYLD with an annualized return of 0.53%, while QYLD has yielded a comparatively higher 9.77% annualized return.

IEF

1D
-0.11%
1M
-1.19%
YTD
-1.16%
6M
-0.96%
1Y
3.91%
3Y*
2.43%
5Y*
-1.34%
10Y*
0.53%

QYLD

1D
1.07%
1M
0.23%
YTD
7.05%
6M
8.87%
1Y
22.45%
3Y*
13.42%
5Y*
8.24%
10Y*
9.77%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEF vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IEF
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF		-1.16%8.03%-0.63%3.64%-15.15%-3.33%10.01%8.03%0.99%2.55%
QYLD
Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF		7.05%9.28%19.35%22.77%-19.08%10.41%8.72%22.69%-3.07%18.79%

Correlation

The correlation between IEF and QYLD is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.17

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.11

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.05

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.05

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2013

-0.11

The correlation between IEF and QYLD shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.17 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF

Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF

Often compared with IEF:
IEF vs. TLTIEF vs. VGITIEF vs. LQDIEF vs. SHYIEF vs. BNDIEF vs. IEIIEF vs. TIP
Often compared with QYLD:
QYLD vs. JEPQQYLD vs. JEPIQYLD vs. QQQQYLD vs. XYLDQYLD vs. RYLDQYLD vs. SCHDQYLD vs. QYLG

Return for Risk

IEF vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IEF
IEF Risk / Return Rank: 2424
Overall Rank
IEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2525
Sortino Ratio Rank
IEF Omega Ratio Rank: 2323
Omega Ratio Rank
IEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2323
Calmar Ratio Rank
IEF Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank
QYLD
QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 8989
Overall Rank
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8686
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 8686
Sortino Ratio Rank
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 9292
Omega Ratio Rank
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 8787
Calmar Ratio Rank
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 9595
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IEF vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) 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.

IEFQYLDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.84
2.56

-1.72

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.26
3.53

-2.26

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.14

1.57

-0.43

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.96

4.54

-3.58

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.79

26.31

-23.52

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEF vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEF Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEF 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

IEFQYLDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.84

2.56

-1.72

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.17

0.56

-0.74

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.08

0.63

-0.55

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.50

0.59

-0.09

Drawdowns

IEF vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEF drawdown since its inception was -23.93%, roughly equal to the maximum QYLD drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEF and QYLD.

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Drawdown Indicators

IEFQYLDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-23.93%

-24.75%

+0.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-4.07%

-4.97%

+0.90%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-7.74%

-19.06%

+11.32%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.40%

-24.61%

+3.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-23.93%

-24.75%

+0.82%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.80%

-0.83%

-10.97%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-5.35%

-3.83%

-1.52%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.40%

0.86%

+0.54%

Volatility

IEF vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF (IEF) is 1.51%, while Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) has a volatility of 2.86%. This indicates that IEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

IEFQYLDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.51%

2.86%

-1.35%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.36%

7.44%

-4.08%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.69%

8.84%

-4.15%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

7.71%

14.73%

-7.02%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.63%

15.51%

-8.88%

IEF vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEF has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEF vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

IEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.92%, less than QYLD's 11.55% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IEF
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF		3.92%3.77%3.62%2.91%1.96%0.83%1.08%2.08%2.24%1.82%1.81%1.90%
QYLD
Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF		11.55%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

IEF and QYLD have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QYLD has higher volatility (2.86%) compared to IEF (1.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEF dropped -23.93% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

On 10-year performance, QYLD leads with 9.77% vs 0.53% for IEF. On fees, IEF is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IEF has been the lower-risk option at 1.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QYLD has performed better with a 9.77% return vs 0.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IEF is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.55%, compared with 3.92% for IEF.

IEF is categorized as Government Bonds, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. IEF tracks ICE U.S. Treasury 7-10 Year Bond Index, while QYLD tracks CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for IEF and 0.60% for QYLD.

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 0.84), 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.

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