QLDY vs. QQQE

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

QLDY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF) and QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QLDY is actively managed, while QQQE is passively managed. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLDY charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for QQQE.

Performance

QLDY vs. QQQE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLDY achieves a 10.66% return, which is significantly lower than QQQE's 16.37% return.

QLDY

• 1D: -1.66%
• 1M: -3.42%
• YTD: 10.66%
• 6M: 8.32%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQE

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 1.92%
• YTD: 16.37%
• 6M: 14.73%
• 1Y: 22.98%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 9.05%
• 10Y*: 15.78%

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

QLDY vs. QQQE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	10.66%	1.54%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	16.37%	2.88%

Correlation

The correlation between QLDY and QQQE is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2025	0.88

Return for Risk

QLDY vs. QQQE — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLDY

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

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 49
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 44
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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. QQQE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	QLDY	QQQE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.48	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.05	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.26	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.45	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	8.22	—

Drawdowns

QLDY vs. QQQE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLDY drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, smaller than the maximum QQQE drawdown of -32.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLDY and QQQE.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLDY	QQQE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.44%	-32.14%	+14.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.41%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-21.38%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.14%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.20%	-3.14%	-4.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.24%	-5.15%	+0.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.80%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLDY	QQQE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	8.01%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.69%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.38%	15.65%	+5.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.38%	20.54%	+0.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.38%	20.79%	+0.59%

QLDY vs. QQQE - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLDY has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQE's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLDY vs. QQQE - Dividend Comparison

QLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 24.62%, more than QQQE's 0.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	24.62%	9.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.57%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLDY and QQQE in my portfolio?

QLDY and QQQE have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QLDY or QQQE?

On fees, QQQE is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLDY or QQQE?

QQQE is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for QLDY.

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

QLDY has the higher dividend yield at 24.62%, compared with 0.57% for QQQE.

What is the main difference between QLDY and QQQE?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for QLDY and 0.35% for QQQE.