QLDY vs. QQQY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QLDY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF) and QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds from Defiance. Both are actively managed. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLDY charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for QQQY.

Performance

QLDY vs. QQQY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QLDY having a 19.28% return and QQQY slightly lower at 19.07%.

QLDY

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

QQQY

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: 9.64%
• YTD: 19.07%
• 6M: 19.11%
• 1Y: 36.38%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QLDY vs. QQQY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	19.28%	1.50%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	19.07%	2.65%

Correlation

The correlation between QLDY and QQQY is 0.95, 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 19, 2025	0.95

Return for Risk

QLDY vs. QQQY — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 80
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. QQQY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY). 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	QQQY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.60	1.25	+0.35

Drawdowns

QLDY vs. QQQY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLDY drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, smaller than the maximum QQQY drawdown of -19.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLDY and QQQY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLDY	QQQY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.44%	-19.05%	+1.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-11.14%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.36%	+0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.25%	-2.91%	-1.34%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	2.61%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLDY	QQQY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	4.21%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	11.30%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.57%	13.67%	+5.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.57%	14.75%	+4.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.57%	14.75%	+4.82%

QLDY vs. QQQY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLDY has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQY's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLDY vs. QQQY - Dividend Comparison

QLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 21.47%, less than QQQY's 34.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	21.47%	9.34%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	34.34%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLDY and QQQY in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, QLDY and QQQY 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 QQQY?

On fees, QQQY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLDY or QQQY?

QQQY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for QLDY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 34.34%, compared with 21.47% for QLDY.

What is the main difference between QLDY and QQQY?

Their fees differ too: 1.04% for QLDY and 0.99% for QQQY.