QLDY vs. VGUS

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

QLDY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF) and VGUS (Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QLDY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while VGUS is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg Short Treasury Index. QLDY is actively managed, while VGUS is passively managed. At a correlation of -0.07, they often move in opposite directions. QLDY charges 1.04%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VGUS.

Performance

QLDY vs. VGUS - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLDY achieves a 12.52% return, which is significantly higher than VGUS's 1.61% return.

QLDY

• 1D: -3.02%
• 1M: -1.79%
• YTD: 12.52%
• 6M: 10.50%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VGUS

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 1.61%
• 6M: 1.69%
• 1Y: 3.85%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QLDY vs. VGUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	12.52%	1.54%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	1.61%	1.14%

Correlation

The correlation between QLDY and VGUS is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2025	-0.07

Return for Risk

QLDY vs. VGUS — 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.

VGUS

VGUS Risk / Return Rank: 99
VGUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VGUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
VGUS Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. VGUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) and Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF (VGUS). 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	VGUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	11.84	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	34.08	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	10.49	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	53.13	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	402.18	—

Drawdowns

QLDY vs. VGUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLDY drawdown since its inception was -17.44%, which is greater than VGUS's maximum drawdown of -0.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLDY and VGUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLDY	VGUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.44%	-0.07%	-17.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-0.07%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.63%	0.00%	-5.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.23%	-0.00%	-4.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.01%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	QLDY	VGUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	0.11%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	0.18%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.34%	0.33%	+21.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.34%	0.34%	+21.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.34%	0.34%	+21.00%

QLDY vs. VGUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLDY has a 1.04% expense ratio, which is higher than VGUS's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLDY vs. VGUS - Dividend Comparison

QLDY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 24.21%, more than VGUS's 3.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025
QLDY Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF	24.21%	9.34%
VGUS Vanguard Ultra-Short Treasury ETF	3.60%	3.12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLDY and VGUS in my portfolio?

QLDY and VGUS have a correlation of -0.07, 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 VGUS?

On fees, VGUS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLDY or VGUS?

VGUS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 1.04% for QLDY.

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

QLDY has the higher dividend yield at 24.21%, compared with 3.60% for VGUS.

What is the main difference between QLDY and VGUS?

QLDY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VGUS is Ultrashort Bond. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 1.04% for QLDY and 0.07% for VGUS.