QXQ vs. QYLD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

QXQ (SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QXQ is actively managed, while QYLD is passively managed. Over the past year, QXQ returned 28.05% vs 21.85% for QYLD. Their correlation of 0.87 means they have usually moved in the same direction. QXQ charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

QXQ vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF (QXQ) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QXQ achieves a 13.63% return, which is significantly higher than QYLD's 8.73% return.

QXQ

• 1D: 1.59%
• 1M: -1.86%
• 6M: 11.58%
• YTD: 13.63%
• 1Y: 28.05%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 20.65%

QYLD

• 1D: 0.99%
• 1M: 0.00%
• 6M: 6.38%
• YTD: 8.73%
• 1Y: 21.85%
• 3Y*: 13.13%
• 5Y*: 7.94%
• 10Y*: 9.65%
• ALL TIME*: 8.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QXQ SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF	$1.32M	$762.04K	$467.23K
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	$81.92M	$78.72M	$98.91M

QXQ vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QXQ SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF	13.63%	19.78%	9.70%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	8.73%	9.28%	10.66%

Correlation

The correlation between QXQ and QYLD is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2024	0.87

The correlation between QXQ and QYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

QXQ vs. QYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QXQ	QYLD
Technology	60.8%	61.4%
Communication Services	13.0%	12.5%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	6.2%	6.7%
Healthcare	3.6%	3.8%
Industrials	2.9%	4.4%
Utilities	1.1%	1.3%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.1%
Energy	0.5%	0.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QXQ vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QXQ

QXQ Risk / Return Rank: 56
QXQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QXQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
QXQ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
QXQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QXQ Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 87
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 88
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QXQ vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF (QXQ) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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.

	QXQ	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	1.95	-0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	2.78	-0.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.40	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	3.80	-1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.53	17.57	-10.04

QXQ vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QXQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is comparable to the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QXQ and QYLD, 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

QXQ vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QXQ drawdown since its inception was -22.53%, smaller than the maximum QYLD drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QXQ and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QXQ	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.53%	-24.75%	+2.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.20%	-5.78%	-6.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.27%	-2.00%	-4.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.71%	-3.81%	+0.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.74%	1.25%	+2.49%

Volatility

QXQ vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF (QXQ) has a higher volatility of 7.06% compared to Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) at 5.17%. This indicates that QXQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QXQ	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.06%	5.17%	+1.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.79%	10.07%	+5.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.14%	11.26%	+7.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.24%	15.05%	+7.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.24%	15.64%	+6.60%

QXQ vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QXQ has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

QXQ vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

QXQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 15.78%, more than QYLD's 11.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QXQ SGI Enhanced Nasdaq-100 ETF	15.78%	18.21%	1.97%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.78%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QXQ and QYLD in my portfolio?

QXQ and QYLD 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, QXQ or QYLD?

QXQ has higher volatility (7.06%) compared to QYLD (5.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QXQ dropped -22.53% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which ETF is better, QXQ or QYLD?

On 1-year performance, QXQ leads with 28.05% vs 21.85% for QYLD. On fees, QYLD is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, QYLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QXQ or QYLD?

Over the 1-year period, QXQ has performed better with a 28.05% return vs 21.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QXQ or QYLD?

QYLD is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for QXQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QXQ or QYLD?

QXQ has the higher dividend yield at 15.78%, compared with 11.78% for QYLD.

What is the main difference between QXQ and QYLD?

They also come from different issuers: Summit Global Investments and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for QXQ and 0.60% for QYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.48), 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.