IQQQ vs. LQDW

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and LQDW (iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IQQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index, while LQDW is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the CBOE LQD BuyWrite Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IQQQ returned 38.70% vs 6.49% for LQDW. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IQQQ charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.34%/yr for LQDW.

Performance

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) and iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (LQDW). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQQQ achieves a 18.72% return, which is significantly higher than LQDW's 1.25% return.

IQQQ

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

LQDW

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 0.83%
• YTD: 1.25%
• 6M: 1.65%
• 1Y: 6.49%
• 3Y*: 3.79%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.72%	17.11%	13.39%
LQDW iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	1.25%	9.05%	1.48%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQQ and LQDW 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 Mar 21, 2024	0.27

Return for Risk

IQQQ vs. LQDW — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

LQDW

LQDW Risk / Return Rank: 54
LQDW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
LQDW Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
LQDW Omega Ratio Rank: 61
LQDW Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
LQDW Martin Ratio Rank: 54

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.

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) and iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (LQDW). 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.

	IQQQ	LQDW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	1.85	+0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	2.62	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.38	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	2.51	+0.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	9.39	+3.01
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the LQDW Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQQQ and LQDW, 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

	IQQQ	LQDW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	1.85	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.46	+0.79

Drawdowns

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQQQ drawdown since its inception was -20.41%, which is greater than LQDW's maximum drawdown of -9.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQQQ and LQDW.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQQQ	LQDW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.41%	-9.20%	-11.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.13%	-2.59%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-6.74%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.30%	-0.35%	+0.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-2.35%	-1.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	0.69%	+2.44%

Volatility

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) has a higher volatility of 3.99% compared to iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF (LQDW) at 1.46%. This indicates that IQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than LQDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IQQQ	LQDW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	1.46%	+2.53%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	3.02%	+8.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	3.53%	+11.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	5.49%	+13.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	5.49%	+13.08%

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQQQ has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than LQDW's 0.34% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQQQ vs. LQDW - Dividend Comparison

IQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, less than LQDW's 12.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	4.42%	10.34%	7.27%	0.00%	0.00%
LQDW iShares Investment Grade Corporate Bond Buywrite Strategy ETF	12.57%	16.02%	15.74%	19.28%	8.85%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQQQ and LQDW in my portfolio?

IQQQ and LQDW 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, IQQQ or LQDW?

IQQQ has higher volatility (3.99%) compared to LQDW (1.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQQQ dropped -20.41% vs LQDW's -9.20%.

Which ETF is better, IQQQ or LQDW?

On 1-year performance, IQQQ leads with 38.70% vs 6.49% for LQDW. On fees, LQDW is cheaper at 0.34% per year. On volatility, LQDW has been the lower-risk option at 1.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQQQ or LQDW?

Over the 1-year period, IQQQ has performed better with a 38.70% return vs 6.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQQQ or LQDW?

LQDW is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IQQQ.

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

LQDW has the higher dividend yield at 12.57%, compared with 4.42% for IQQQ.

What is the main difference between IQQQ and LQDW?

IQQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while LQDW is Corporate Bonds. IQQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index, while LQDW tracks CBOE LQD BuyWrite Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IQQQ and 0.34% for LQDW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.85), 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.