QQQY vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 35.59% vs 29.68% for QQQI. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

QQQY vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQY achieves a 18.85% return, which is significantly higher than QQQI's 13.04% return.

QQQY

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 7.95%
• YTD: 18.85%
• 6M: 18.67%
• 1Y: 35.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQI

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 5.60%
• YTD: 13.04%
• 6M: 12.57%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQY vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	18.85%	14.96%	5.37%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.04%	18.62%	19.83%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and QQQI is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2024	0.93

The correlation between QQQY and QQQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 75
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 81
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 74

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 70
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

QQQY vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). 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.

	QQQY	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.62	2.30	+0.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.31	3.05	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.42	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.21	3.10	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.65	13.93	-0.28
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQY vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 2.62, which is comparable to the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY and QQQI, 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

	QQQY	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.62	2.30	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	1.32	-0.08

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQI drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-20.00%	+0.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-9.61%	-1.53%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.52%	-0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-2.19%	-0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.61%	2.14%	+0.47%

Volatility

QQQY vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) has a higher volatility of 4.14% compared to NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) at 2.69%. This indicates that QQQY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.14%	2.69%	+1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.30%	9.85%	+1.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.66%	12.98%	+0.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.74%	17.05%	-2.31%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.74%	17.05%	-2.31%

QQQY vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 35.18%, more than QQQI's 13.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.24%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	35.18%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and QQQI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, QQQY and QQQI 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 is riskier, QQQY or QQQI?

QQQY has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to QQQI (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 35.59% vs 29.68% for QQQI. On fees, QQQI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, QQQI has been the lower-risk option at 2.69%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 35.59% return vs 29.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or QQQI?

QQQI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 35.18%, compared with 13.24% for QQQI.

What is the main difference between QQQY and QQQI?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.62 vs 2.30), 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.