QLDY vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLDY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QLDY is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QLDY charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QLDY vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLDY achieves a 19.28% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

QLDY

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 11.63%
• YTD: 19.28%
• 6M: 16.55%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

QLDY vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	19.28%	1.50%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	3.44%

Correlation

The correlation between QLDY and QQQ is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 19, 2025	0.98

Return for Risk

QLDY vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

QLDY vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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

	QLDY	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.64	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.60	0.41	+1.19

Drawdowns

QLDY vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLDY drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLDY and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLDY	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.44%	-82.97%	+65.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.96%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.25%	-32.79%	+28.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	3.11%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLDY	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.49%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.10%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.57%	15.94%	+3.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.57%	22.38%	-2.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.57%	22.29%	-2.72%

QLDY vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLDY has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLDY vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.47%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	21.47%	9.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLDY and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, QLDY and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, QLDY or QQQ?

On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLDY or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for QLDY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLDY or QQQ?

QLDY has the higher dividend yield at 21.47%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QLDY and QQQ?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for QLDY and 0.18% for QQQ.