QQQY vs. SCHD

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and SCHD (Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while SCHD is a Dividend fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. QQQY is actively managed, while SCHD is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 30.60% vs 26.37% for SCHD. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for SCHD.

Performance

QQQY vs. SCHD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQY achieves a 14.65% return, which is significantly lower than SCHD's 18.71% return.

QQQY

• 1D: 1.28%
• 1M: -0.02%
• YTD: 14.65%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 30.60%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHD

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: 2.12%
• YTD: 18.71%
• 6M: 19.28%
• 1Y: 26.37%
• 3Y*: 14.73%
• 5Y*: 8.49%
• 10Y*: 12.65%

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

QQQY vs. SCHD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	14.65%	14.96%	7.70%	7.19%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	18.71%	4.34%	11.66%	5.51%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and SCHD is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 14, 2023	0.32

The correlation between QQQY and SCHD shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.32 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. SCHD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

SCHD

SCHD Risk / Return Rank: 85
SCHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
SCHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
SCHD Omega Ratio Rank: 81
SCHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
SCHD Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. SCHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD). 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	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	2.43	-0.31
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	3.75	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.43	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	5.74	-2.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.59	14.06	-2.47
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. SCHD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the SCHD Sharpe Ratio of 2.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY and SCHD, 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	SCHD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	2.43	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.59	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.76	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	0.86	+0.26

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. SCHD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum SCHD drawdown of -33.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and SCHD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	SCHD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-33.37%	+14.32%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-4.61%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-16.13%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.85%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-33.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.06%	-1.64%	-2.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-3.32%	+0.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	1.88%	+0.77%

Volatility

QQQY vs. SCHD - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) has a higher volatility of 6.53% compared to Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) at 2.83%. This indicates that QQQY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	SCHD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.53%	2.83%	+3.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	7.60%	+4.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	10.94%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.03%	14.38%	+0.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.03%	16.72%	-1.69%

QQQY vs. SCHD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHD's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. SCHD - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 35.66%, more than SCHD's 3.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	35.66%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHD Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF	3.27%	3.82%	3.64%	3.49%	3.39%	2.78%	3.16%	2.98%	3.06%	2.63%	2.89%	2.97%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and SCHD in my portfolio?

QQQY and SCHD have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQY or SCHD?

QQQY has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to SCHD (2.83%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs SCHD's -33.37%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or SCHD?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 30.60% vs 26.37% for SCHD. On fees, SCHD is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, SCHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.83%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or SCHD?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 30.60% return vs 26.37%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or SCHD?

SCHD is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for QQQY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 35.66%, compared with 3.27% for SCHD.

What is the main difference between QQQY and SCHD?

QQQY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SCHD is Dividend. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 0.06% for SCHD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCHD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.43 vs 2.12), 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.