QYLD vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QYLD returned 9.77%/yr vs 10.14%/yr for VEA. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QYLD charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

QYLD vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QYLD achieves a 7.05% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 12.02% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QYLD having a 9.77% annualized return and VEA not far ahead at 10.14%.

QYLD

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 7.05%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 13.42%
• 5Y*: 8.24%
• 10Y*: 9.77%

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

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

QYLD vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.05%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-19.08%	10.41%	8.72%	22.69%	-3.07%	18.79%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between QYLD and VEA is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2013	0.61

The correlation between QYLD and VEA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

QYLD vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QYLD	VEA
Technology	53.8%	13.8%
Communication Services	15.8%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	5.6%
Healthcare	4.2%	8.2%
Industrials	2.8%	19.2%
Utilities	1.4%	3.3%
Basic Materials	1.1%	7.5%
Energy	0.6%	5.4%
Financial Services	0.2%	23.3%
Real Estate	0.1%	2.7%

Return for Risk

QYLD vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 89
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	QYLD	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	1.75	+0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.53	2.39	+1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.32	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.54	2.42	+2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	26.31	9.39	+16.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QYLD vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QYLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is higher than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 1.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QYLD and VEA, 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

	QYLD	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	1.75	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.55	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63	0.59	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.24	+0.35

Drawdowns

QYLD vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QYLD drawdown since its inception was -24.75%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QYLD and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	QYLD	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.75%	-60.68%	+35.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.97%	-11.63%	+6.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.06%	-13.45%	-5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.61%	-29.71%	+5.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.75%	-35.73%	+10.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-3.40%	+2.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.83%	-13.29%	+9.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.86%	3.00%	-2.14%

Volatility

QYLD vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) is 2.86%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.03%. This indicates that QYLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QYLD	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.86%	6.03%	-3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.44%	13.91%	-6.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.84%	16.15%	-7.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.73%	16.63%	-1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.51%	17.40%	-1.89%

QYLD vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

QYLD has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

QYLD vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

QYLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.55%, more than VEA's 2.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.55%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QYLD and VEA in my portfolio?

QYLD and VEA have a correlation of 0.69, 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 VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to QYLD (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QYLD dropped -24.75% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, QYLD or VEA?

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.14% vs 9.77% for QYLD. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, QYLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QYLD or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.14% return vs 9.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QYLD or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

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

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.55%, compared with 2.69% for VEA.

What is the main difference between QYLD and VEA?

QYLD is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. QYLD tracks CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for QYLD and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.75), 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.