NLSI vs. QAI

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Neos Long/Short Equity Income ETF (NLSI) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI).

NLSI and QAI are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. NLSI is an actively managed fund by Neos. It was launched on Dec 9, 2025. QAI is a passively managed fund by New York Life that tracks the performance of the IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Index. It was launched on Mar 25, 2009.

Performance

NLSI vs. QAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Neos Long/Short Equity Income ETF (NLSI) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NLSI vs. QAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
NLSI Neos Long/Short Equity Income ETF	-9.90%	1.90%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.82%	-0.11%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NLSI achieves a -9.90% return, which is significantly lower than QAI's 1.82% return.

NLSI

• 1D: 0.93%
• 1M: -2.48%
• YTD: -9.90%
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QAI

• 1D: 1.25%
• 1M: -2.23%
• YTD: 1.82%
• 6M: 2.98%
• 1Y: 10.61%
• 3Y*: 8.05%
• 5Y*: 3.40%
• 10Y*: 3.30%

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

NLSI vs. QAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

NLSI has a 2.89% expense ratio, which is higher than QAI's 0.79% expense ratio.

NLSI

Neos Long/Short Equity Income ETF

QAI

IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF

Return for Risk

NLSI vs. QAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QAI

QAI Risk / Return Rank: 80
QAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
QAI Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
QAI Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

NLSI vs. QAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Neos Long/Short Equity Income ETF (NLSI) and IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NLSI	QAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	1.41	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.53	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-1.33	0.51	-1.84

Correlation

The correlation between NLSI and QAI is 0.20, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

NLSI vs. QAI - Dividend Comparison

NLSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.90%, more than QAI's 1.48% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NLSI Neos Long/Short Equity Income ETF	1.90%	0.46%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QAI IQ Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF	1.48%	1.50%	2.22%	4.08%	2.00%	0.28%	1.98%	1.91%	1.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.48%

Drawdowns

NLSI vs. QAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NLSI drawdown since its inception was -13.19%, smaller than the maximum QAI drawdown of -14.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NLSI and QAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	NLSI	QAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.19%	-14.95%	+1.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-5.43%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-14.32%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-14.95%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.22%	-2.51%	-8.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.27%	-2.60%	-3.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.17%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	NLSI	QAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.83%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	4.95%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.93%	7.55%	+11.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.93%	6.51%	+12.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.93%	6.12%	+12.81%