QYLD vs. NEA

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2, while NEA (Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QYLD returned 10.07%/yr vs 3.01%/yr for NEA. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QYLD charges 0.60%/yr vs 1.41%/yr for NEA.

Performance

QYLD vs. NEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QYLD achieves a 10.20% return, which is significantly higher than NEA's 3.22% return. Over the past 10 years, QYLD has outperformed NEA with an annualized return of 10.07%, while NEA has yielded a comparatively lower 3.01% annualized return.

QYLD

• 1D: 2.43%
• 1M: 4.04%
• YTD: 10.20%
• 6M: 10.75%
• 1Y: 25.53%
• 3Y*: 14.59%
• 5Y*: 8.95%
• 10Y*: 10.07%

NEA

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 3.54%
• YTD: 3.22%
• 6M: 3.85%
• 1Y: 15.57%
• 3Y*: 9.20%
• 5Y*: -0.07%
• 10Y*: 3.01%

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

QYLD vs. NEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	10.20%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-19.08%	10.41%	8.72%	22.69%	-3.07%	18.79%
NEA Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund	3.22%	11.31%	9.50%	0.75%	-23.32%	8.16%	10.07%	22.42%	-5.72%	8.77%

Correlation

The correlation between QYLD and NEA is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2013	0.16

Return for Risk

QYLD vs. NEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 91
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 93
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

NEA

NEA Risk / Return Rank: 81
NEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
NEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
NEA Omega Ratio Rank: 79
NEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
NEA Martin Ratio Rank: 85

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.

QYLD vs. NEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA). 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.

	QYLD	NEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	1.46	+1.24
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	2.18	+1.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.29	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.16	2.15	+3.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.06	8.57	+20.48

QYLD vs. NEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the NEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QYLD and NEA, 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

QYLD vs. NEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QYLD drawdown since its inception was -24.75%, smaller than the maximum NEA drawdown of -43.83%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QYLD and NEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	QYLD	NEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.75%	-43.83%	+19.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.97%	-7.27%	+2.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-15.16%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.61%	-36.57%	+11.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.75%	-36.57%	+11.82%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-4.02%	+4.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-8.00%	+4.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	1.82%	-0.94%

Volatility

QYLD vs. NEA - Volatility Comparison

Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) has a higher volatility of 4.30% compared to Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund (NEA) at 2.67%. This indicates that QYLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QYLD	NEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	2.67%	+1.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	8.67%	-0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.49%	10.72%	-1.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	11.52%	+3.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.54%	11.82%	+3.72%

QYLD vs. NEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

QYLD has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is lower than NEA's 1.41% expense ratio.

Dividends

QYLD vs. NEA - Dividend Comparison

QYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.22%, more than NEA's 7.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NEA Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund	7.13%	7.36%	6.63%	3.95%	5.49%	4.50%	4.45%	4.46%	5.40%	5.33%	5.70%	5.71%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.22%	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 QYLD and NEA in my portfolio?

QYLD and NEA have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QYLD or NEA?

QYLD has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to NEA (2.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QYLD dropped -24.75% vs NEA's -43.83%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.46), 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.