QQQY vs. SDTY

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and SDTY (YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while SDTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 30.60% vs 21.67% for SDTY. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQY charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.01%/yr for SDTY.

Performance

QQQY vs. SDTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY). 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 higher than SDTY's 6.19% return.

QQQY

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

SDTY

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -0.08%
• YTD: 6.19%
• 6M: 6.33%
• 1Y: 21.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQY vs. SDTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	14.65%	12.69%
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	6.19%	9.83%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and SDTY is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2025	0.82

The correlation between QQQY and SDTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. SDTY — 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

SDTY

SDTY Risk / Return Rank: 65
SDTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
SDTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SDTY Omega Ratio Rank: 67
SDTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SDTY Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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. SDTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) and YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY). 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	SDTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.12	1.94	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.62	2.64	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.36	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.76	2.71	+0.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.59	11.38	+0.21
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. SDTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 2.12, which is comparable to the SDTY Sharpe Ratio of 1.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY and SDTY, 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	SDTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.12	1.94	+0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.11	0.73	+0.38

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. SDTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, roughly equal to the maximum SDTY drawdown of -18.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and SDTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	SDTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-18.63%	-0.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-8.02%	-3.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.06%	-2.70%	-1.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-3.02%	+0.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	1.91%	+0.74%

Volatility

QQQY vs. SDTY - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) has a higher volatility of 6.53% compared to YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (SDTY) at 3.44%. This indicates that QQQY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SDTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	SDTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.53%	3.44%	+3.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.41%	8.74%	+3.67%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	11.23%	+3.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.03%	16.85%	-1.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.03%	16.85%	-1.82%

QQQY vs. SDTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQY has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than SDTY's 1.01% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQY vs. SDTY - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 35.66%, more than SDTY's 26.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	35.66%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%
SDTY YieldMax S&P 500 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	26.00%	22.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and SDTY in my portfolio?

QQQY and SDTY have a correlation of 0.82, 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 SDTY?

QQQY has higher volatility (6.53%) compared to SDTY (3.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs SDTY's -18.63%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or SDTY?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 30.60% vs 21.67% for SDTY. On fees, QQQY is cheaper at 0.99% per year. On volatility, SDTY has been the lower-risk option at 3.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or SDTY?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 30.60% return vs 21.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or SDTY?

QQQY is cheaper with a 0.99% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for SDTY.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 35.66%, compared with 26.00% for SDTY.

What is the main difference between QQQY and SDTY?

QQQY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SDTY is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.99% for QQQY and 1.01% for SDTY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.12 vs 1.94), 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.