QDIV vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QDIV (Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QDIV is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Quality High Dividend Index, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QDIV returned 6.30%/yr vs 8.43%/yr for QYLD. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QDIV charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

QDIV vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) 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, QDIV achieves a 8.88% return, which is significantly higher than QYLD's 7.88% return.

QDIV

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 8.88%
• 6M: 8.61%
• 1Y: 14.92%
• 3Y*: 10.31%
• 5Y*: 6.30%
• 10Y*: —

QYLD

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 9.91%
• 1Y: 23.70%
• 3Y*: 13.76%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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

QDIV vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QDIV Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF	8.88%	3.16%	10.62%	5.18%	-0.50%	28.99%	0.03%	29.00%	-12.20%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.88%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-19.08%	10.41%	8.72%	22.69%	-9.56%

Correlation

The correlation between QDIV and QYLD is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 18, 2018	0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between QDIV and QYLD has dropped to 0.27 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QDIV vs. QYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QDIV	QYLD
Consumer Defensive	21.9%	7.7%
Industrials	16.5%	2.8%
Healthcare	14.3%	4.2%
Energy	14.1%	0.6%
Basic Materials	8.4%	1.1%
Technology	8.1%	53.8%
Financial Services	6.9%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	6.1%	12.3%
Communication Services	3.7%	15.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

QDIV vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QDIV

QDIV Risk / Return Rank: 36
QDIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
QDIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QDIV Omega Ratio Rank: 34
QDIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
QDIV Martin Ratio Rank: 33

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 89
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
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.

QDIV vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) 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.

	QDIV	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.27	2.78	-1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	3.89	-1.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.63	-0.40
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.88	4.79	-2.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.85	28.10	-23.25
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QDIV vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QDIV Sharpe Ratio is 1.27, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.78. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QDIV 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QDIV	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.27	2.78	-1.51
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41	0.58	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.59	-0.15

Drawdowns

QDIV vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QDIV drawdown since its inception was -41.20%, which is greater than QYLD's maximum drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QDIV and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QDIV	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.20%	-24.75%	-16.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.97%	-4.97%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.81%	-19.06%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.52%	-24.61%	+6.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.37%	-0.06%	-3.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.54%	-3.84%	-1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	0.85%	+2.24%

Volatility

QDIV vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF (QDIV) has a higher volatility of 2.52% compared to Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) at 1.84%. This indicates that QDIV'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

	QDIV	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.52%	1.84%	+0.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.04%	7.12%	+0.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.83%	8.57%	+3.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.30%	14.70%	+0.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.42%	15.49%	+3.93%

QDIV vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QDIV has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

QDIV vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

QDIV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.98%, less than QYLD's 11.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QDIV Global X S&P 500 Quality Dividend ETF	2.98%	3.13%	2.88%	3.26%	3.02%	2.44%	3.06%	2.84%	1.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.46%	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 QDIV and QYLD in my portfolio?

QDIV and QYLD have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QDIV or QYLD?

QDIV has higher volatility (2.52%) compared to QYLD (1.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QDIV dropped -41.20% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which ETF is better, QDIV or QYLD?

On 5-year performance, QYLD leads with 8.43% vs 6.30% for QDIV. On fees, QDIV is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, QYLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QDIV or QYLD?

Over the 5-year period, QYLD has performed better with a 8.43% return vs 6.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QDIV or QYLD?

QDIV is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

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

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.46%, compared with 2.98% for QDIV.

What is the main difference between QDIV and QYLD?

QDIV is categorized as Dividend, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. QDIV tracks S&P 500 Quality High Dividend Index, while QYLD tracks CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QDIV and 0.60% for QYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.78 vs 1.27), 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.