QLDY vs. USAI

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

QLDY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF) and USAI (Pacer American Energy Independence ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLDY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while USAI is a Energy Equities fund tracking the American Energy Independence Index. QLDY is actively managed, while USAI is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.19, they often move in opposite directions. QLDY charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for USAI.

Performance

QLDY vs. USAI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLDY achieves a 9.82% return, which is significantly lower than USAI's 25.70% return.

QLDY

• 1D: -2.11%
• 1M: -4.71%
• 6M: 8.93%
• YTD: 9.82%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

USAI

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 5.30%
• 6M: 24.01%
• YTD: 25.70%
• 1Y: 23.04%
• 3Y*: 25.80%
• 5Y*: 20.76%
• 10Y*: —

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

QLDY vs. USAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	9.82%	1.54%
USAI Pacer American Energy Independence ETF	25.70%	-1.59%

Correlation

The correlation between QLDY and USAI is -0.19, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2025	-0.19

Return for Risk

QLDY vs. USAI — 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.

USAI

USAI Risk / Return Rank: 50
USAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
USAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
USAI Omega Ratio Rank: 45
USAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
USAI Martin Ratio Rank: 40

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. USAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Pacer American Energy Independence ETF (USAI). 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	USAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	1.43	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.00	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.24	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	2.57	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	5.21	—

Drawdowns

QLDY vs. USAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLDY drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, smaller than the maximum USAI drawdown of -65.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLDY and USAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLDY	USAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.44%	-65.25%	+47.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-9.01%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-18.22%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-20.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.90%	-3.27%	-4.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.35%	-9.31%	+4.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	4.43%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLDY	USAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	5.37%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	12.68%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.84%	16.20%	+5.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.84%	20.46%	+1.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.84%	27.20%	-5.36%

QLDY vs. USAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLDY has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than USAI's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLDY vs. USAI - Dividend Comparison

QLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 28.28%, more than USAI's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	28.28%	9.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
USAI Pacer American Energy Independence ETF	4.09%	5.03%	3.62%	4.99%	5.41%	6.15%	7.67%	6.50%	5.56%	0.08%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLDY and USAI in my portfolio?

QLDY and USAI have a correlation of -0.19, 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 USAI?

On fees, USAI is cheaper at 0.75% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLDY or USAI?

USAI is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for QLDY.

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

QLDY has the higher dividend yield at 28.28%, compared with 4.09% for USAI.

What is the main difference between QLDY and USAI?

QLDY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while USAI is Energy Equities. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for QLDY and 0.75% for USAI.