QYLD vs. SPYD

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) and SPYD (State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2, while SPYD is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QYLD returned 10.07%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for SPYD. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QYLD charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for SPYD.

Performance

QYLD vs. SPYD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). 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 lower than SPYD's 10.94% return. Over the past 10 years, QYLD has outperformed SPYD with an annualized return of 10.07%, while SPYD has yielded a comparatively lower 8.52% 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%

SPYD

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: 0.89%
• YTD: 10.94%
• 6M: 11.30%
• 1Y: 17.69%
• 3Y*: 13.11%
• 5Y*: 8.30%
• 10Y*: 8.52%

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

QYLD vs. SPYD - 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%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	10.94%	4.65%	15.34%	3.91%	-1.17%	32.73%	-11.64%	21.20%	-4.89%	12.67%

Correlation

The correlation between QYLD and SPYD is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2015	0.43

Over the past year, the correlation between QYLD and SPYD has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.43, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QYLD vs. SPYD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QYLD	SPYD
Technology	58.7%	3.2%
Communication Services	14.3%	4.8%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	7.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	16.0%
Healthcare	3.7%	5.3%
Industrials	2.6%	2.3%
Utilities	1.2%	11.2%
Basic Materials	1.0%	3.0%
Energy	0.5%	8.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	26.5%

Return for Risk

QYLD vs. SPYD — 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

SPYD

SPYD Risk / Return Rank: 46
SPYD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SPYD Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
SPYD Omega Ratio Rank: 41
SPYD Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
SPYD Martin Ratio Rank: 46

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. SPYD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD). 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	SPYD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	1.50	+1.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.84	2.25	+1.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.26	+0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.16	2.52	+2.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.06	7.28	+21.77

QYLD vs. SPYD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is higher than the SPYD Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QYLD and SPYD, 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. SPYD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QYLD drawdown since its inception was -24.75%, smaller than the maximum SPYD drawdown of -46.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QYLD and SPYD.

Drawdown Indicators

	QYLD	SPYD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.75%	-46.42%	+21.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.97%	-7.05%	+2.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-16.13%	-2.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.61%	-22.25%	-2.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.75%	-46.42%	+21.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.30%	+3.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-6.15%	+2.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.88%	2.43%	-1.55%

Volatility

QYLD vs. SPYD - Volatility Comparison

Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) has a higher volatility of 4.30% compared to State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF (SPYD) at 3.57%. This indicates that QYLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPYD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QYLD	SPYD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.30%	3.57%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	8.03%	+0.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.49%	11.84%	-2.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.81%	16.10%	-1.29%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.54%	19.79%	-4.25%

QYLD vs. SPYD - Expense Ratio Comparison

QYLD has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than SPYD's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

QYLD vs. SPYD - Dividend Comparison

QYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.22%, more than SPYD's 4.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
SPYD State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 High Dividend ETF	4.19%	4.52%	4.31%	4.66%	5.01%	3.68%	4.95%	4.42%	4.75%	4.63%	4.34%	1.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QYLD and SPYD in my portfolio?

QYLD and SPYD have a correlation of 0.16, 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 SPYD?

QYLD has higher volatility (4.30%) compared to SPYD (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QYLD dropped -24.75% vs SPYD's -46.42%.

Which ETF is better, QYLD or SPYD?

On 10-year performance, QYLD leads with 10.07% vs 8.52% for SPYD. On fees, SPYD is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, SPYD has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QYLD or SPYD?

Over the 10-year period, QYLD has performed better with a 10.07% return vs 8.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QYLD or SPYD?

SPYD is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

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

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.22%, compared with 4.19% for SPYD.

What is the main difference between QYLD and SPYD?

QYLD is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPYD is S&P 500. QYLD tracks CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2, while SPYD tracks S&P 500 High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QYLD and 0.07% for SPYD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.50), 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.