QQQI vs. HYG
QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and HYG (iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos, while HYG is a High Yield Bonds fund tracking the Markit iBoxx USD Liquid High Yield Index. QQQI is actively managed, while HYG is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQI returned 30.39% vs 6.95% for HYG. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQI charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for HYG.
Performance
QQQI vs. HYG - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQI achieves a 13.53% return, which is significantly higher than HYG's 1.78% return.
QQQI
- 1D
- 2.67%
- 1M
- 3.39%
- YTD
- 13.53%
- 6M
- 14.57%
- 1Y
- 30.39%
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
HYG
- 1D
- 0.13%
- 1M
- 1.25%
- YTD
- 1.78%
- 6M
- 2.29%
- 1Y
- 6.95%
- 3Y*
- 8.47%
- 5Y*
- 3.83%
- 10Y*
- 5.03%
QQQI vs. HYG - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF | 13.53% | 18.62% | 19.44% |
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 1.78% | 8.59% | 7.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQI and HYG is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024 | 0.61 |
The correlation between QQQI and HYG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
QQQI vs. HYG — Risk / Return Rank
QQQI
HYG
QQQI vs. HYG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) and iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG). 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.
| QQQI | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.40 | 1.35 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.18 | 2.98 | +0.19 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.66 | 13.11 | +0.56 |
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Drawdowns
QQQI vs. HYG - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQI drawdown since its inception was -20.00%, smaller than the maximum HYG drawdown of -34.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQI and HYG.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQI | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.00% | -34.25% | +14.25% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.61% | -2.34% | -7.27% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -4.56% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -15.79% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -22.03% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.09% | 0.00% | -0.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.21% | -3.24% | +1.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.23% | 0.53% | +1.70% |
Volatility
QQQI vs. HYG - Volatility Comparison
NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a higher volatility of 6.63% compared to iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) at 1.31%. This indicates that QQQI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HYG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QQQI | HYG | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.63% | 1.31% | +5.32% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.63% | 3.08% | +8.55% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.33% | 3.87% | +10.46% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 17.41% | 7.53% | +9.88% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.41% | 8.29% | +9.12% |
QQQI vs. HYG - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQI has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than HYG's 0.49% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQI vs. HYG - Dividend Comparison
QQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.18%, more than HYG's 5.89% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HYG iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 5.89% | 5.71% | 6.01% | 5.74% | 5.30% | 4.02% | 4.88% | 4.99% | 5.54% | 5.12% | 5.27% | 5.90% |
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF | 13.18% | 13.82% | 12.85% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQI and HYG have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQI has higher volatility (6.63%) compared to HYG (1.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQI dropped -20.00% vs HYG's -34.25%.
On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 30.39% vs 6.95% for HYG. On fees, HYG is cheaper at 0.49% per year. On volatility, HYG has been the lower-risk option at 1.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 30.39% return vs 6.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
HYG is cheaper with a 0.49% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.
QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.18%, compared with 5.89% for HYG.
QQQI is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while HYG is High Yield Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Neos and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for QQQI and 0.49% for HYG.
QQQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs 1.81), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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