QQQY vs. YQQQ

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

QQQY (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF) and YQQQ (YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQY is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Defiance, while YQQQ is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, QQQY returned 26.50% vs -8.18% for YQQQ. At a correlation of -0.86, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.99% expense ratio.

Performance

QQQY vs. YQQQ - 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 Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQY achieves a 16.28% return, which is significantly higher than YQQQ's -5.58% return.

QQQY

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: -2.26%
• 6M: 14.97%
• YTD: 16.28%
• 1Y: 26.50%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

YQQQ

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: 5.06%
• 6M: -5.67%
• YTD: -5.58%
• 1Y: -8.18%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQY vs. YQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	16.28%	14.96%	1.27%
YQQQ YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF	-5.58%	-9.97%	-5.17%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQY and YQQQ is -0.90, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2024	-0.87

The correlation between QQQY and YQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.90 to -0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQQY vs. YQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQY

QQQY Risk / Return Rank: 60
QQQY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QQQY Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QQQY Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QQQY Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
QQQY Martin Ratio Rank: 66

YQQQ

YQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 5
YQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
YQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
YQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 4
YQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
YQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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. YQQQ - 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 Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ). 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.

	QQQY	YQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	-0.59	+2.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.11	-0.74	+2.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	0.91	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.39	-0.38	+2.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.37	-0.87	+10.23

QQQY vs. YQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQY Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is higher than the YQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -0.59. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQY and YQQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QQQY vs. YQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQY drawdown since its inception was -19.05%, smaller than the maximum YQQQ drawdown of -29.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQY and YQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQY	YQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.05%	-29.10%	+10.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.14%	-21.80%	+10.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	-25.52%	+22.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.91%	-14.94%	+12.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.84%	9.45%	-6.61%

Volatility

QQQY vs. YQQQ - Volatility Comparison

Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF (QQQY) has a higher volatility of 7.69% compared to YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) at 6.13%. This indicates that QQQY's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than YQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQY	YQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.69%	6.13%	+1.56%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.51%	11.67%	+2.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.58%	13.91%	+2.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.55%	16.56%	-1.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.55%	16.56%	-1.01%

QQQY vs. YQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QQQY and YQQQ have an expense ratio of 0.99%.

Dividends

QQQY vs. YQQQ - Dividend Comparison

QQQY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 36.30%, more than YQQQ's 29.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QQQY Defiance Nasdaq 100 Enhanced Options Income ETF	36.30%	45.34%	83.34%	20.64%
YQQQ YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF	29.27%	31.71%	7.88%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQY and YQQQ in my portfolio?

QQQY and YQQQ have a correlation of -0.90, 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 YQQQ?

QQQY has higher volatility (7.69%) compared to YQQQ (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQY dropped -19.05% vs YQQQ's -29.10%.

Which ETF is better, QQQY or YQQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQY leads with 26.50% vs -8.18% for YQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.99% expense ratio. On volatility, YQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQY or YQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQY has performed better with a 26.50% return vs -8.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQY or YQQQ?

QQQY and YQQQ have the same expense ratio: 0.99% per year.

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

QQQY has the higher dividend yield at 36.30%, compared with 29.27% for YQQQ.

What is the main difference between QQQY and YQQQ?

QQQY is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while YQQQ is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and YieldMax.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.61 vs -0.59), 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.