QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QQQL.TO (Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Index ETF) and XQQU.TO (iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, from Global X and iShares respectively. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QQQL.TO returned 56.27% vs 44.21% for XQQU.TO. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQL.TO charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for XQQU.TO.

Performance

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Index ETF (QQQL.TO) and iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (XQQU.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQL.TO achieves a 27.90% return, which is significantly higher than XQQU.TO's 22.27% return.

QQQL.TO

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 15.99%
• YTD: 27.90%
• 6M: 24.31%
• 1Y: 56.27%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XQQU.TO

• 1D: 0.47%
• 1M: 12.61%
• YTD: 22.27%
• 6M: 18.74%
• 1Y: 44.21%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQL.TO Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Index ETF	27.90%	16.16%	24.06%
XQQU.TO iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF	22.27%	15.17%	18.09%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 23, 2024	0.60

The correlation between QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQL.TO

QQQL.TO Risk / Return Rank: 83
QQQL.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QQQL.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
QQQL.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 94
QQQL.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
QQQL.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 63

XQQU.TO

XQQU.TO Risk / Return Rank: 77
XQQU.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
XQQU.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
XQQU.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 81
XQQU.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
XQQU.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Index ETF (QQQL.TO) and iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (XQQU.TO). 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.

	QQQL.TO	XQQU.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.99	2.85	+0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.96	3.71	+0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.69	1.49	+0.19
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.41	3.71	+0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.65	11.88	-0.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQL.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.99, which is comparable to the XQQU.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QQQL.TO	XQQU.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.99	2.85	+0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.37	1.60	-0.22

Drawdowns

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQL.TO drawdown since its inception was -27.82%, which is greater than XQQU.TO's maximum drawdown of -22.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQL.TO	XQQU.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.82%	-22.68%	-5.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.69%	-12.16%	-0.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.89%	-3.38%	-1.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.80%	3.79%	+1.01%

Volatility

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Volatility Comparison

Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Index ETF (QQQL.TO) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (XQQU.TO) at 4.40%. This indicates that QQQL.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XQQU.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQL.TO	XQQU.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	4.40%	+1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.85%	11.79%	+2.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.89%	15.61%	+3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.74%	19.78%	+5.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.74%	19.78%	+5.96%

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQL.TO has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than XQQU.TO's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQL.TO vs. XQQU.TO - Dividend Comparison

QQQL.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XQQU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.21%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QQQL.TO Global X Enhanced Nasdaq-100 Index ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XQQU.TO iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF	0.21%	0.26%	0.20%	0.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO in my portfolio?

QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QQQL.TO or XQQU.TO?

On fees, XQQU.TO is cheaper at 0.39% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQL.TO or XQQU.TO?

XQQU.TO is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for QQQL.TO.

What is the main difference between QQQL.TO and XQQU.TO?

Both ETFs track NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for QQQL.TO and 0.39% for XQQU.TO.