RDTY vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RDTY (YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDTY is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. RDTY is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past year, RDTY returned 26.30% vs 34.88% for QQQ. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RDTY charges 1.01%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

RDTY vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (RDTY) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with RDTY having a 17.09% return and QQQ slightly lower at 16.45%.

RDTY

• 1D: -0.85%
• 1M: 4.49%
• YTD: 17.09%
• 6M: 14.85%
• 1Y: 26.30%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 16.45%
• 6M: 14.99%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 26.05%
• 5Y*: 16.01%
• 10Y*: 22.07%

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

RDTY vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
RDTY YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	17.09%	10.93%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.45%	22.99%

Correlation

The correlation between RDTY and QQQ is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 6, 2025	0.73

The correlation between RDTY and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RDTY vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDTY

RDTY Risk / Return Rank: 50
RDTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
RDTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
RDTY Omega Ratio Rank: 42
RDTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
RDTY Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

RDTY vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (RDTY) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	RDTY	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.51	1.95	-0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.13	2.57	-0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.35	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	2.93	-0.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.60	10.86	-1.26

RDTY vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDTY Sharpe Ratio is 1.51, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDTY and QQQ, 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

RDTY vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDTY drawdown since its inception was -17.31%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDTY and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDTY	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.31%	-82.97%	+65.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.20%	-11.96%	+2.76%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.85%	-4.25%	+3.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.68%	-32.73%	+30.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.74%	3.22%	-0.48%

Volatility

RDTY vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (RDTY) is 5.80%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that RDTY experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDTY	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.80%	9.17%	-3.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.17%	14.57%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.51%	17.96%	-0.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.06%	22.69%	-0.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.06%	22.42%	-0.36%

RDTY vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDTY has a 1.01% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDTY vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

RDTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 42.29%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.43%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
RDTY YieldMax™ R2000 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF	42.29%	36.75%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDTY and QQQ in my portfolio?

RDTY and QQQ have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDTY or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to RDTY (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDTY dropped -17.31% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, RDTY or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 34.88% vs 26.30% for RDTY. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, RDTY has been the lower-risk option at 5.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDTY or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 34.88% return vs 26.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDTY or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.01% for RDTY.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RDTY or QQQ?

RDTY has the higher dividend yield at 42.29%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between RDTY and QQQ?

RDTY is categorized as Derivative Income, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: YieldMax and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.01% for RDTY and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.51), 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.