SCDL vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

SCDL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCDL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 (200%), while QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos. SCDL is passively managed, while QQQI is actively managed. Over the past year, SCDL returned 45.29% vs 24.88% for QQQI. At a 0.31 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SCDL charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

SCDL vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCDL achieves a 33.87% return, which is significantly higher than QQQI's 9.86% return.

SCDL

• 1D: 0.94%
• 1M: -5.06%
• YTD: 33.87%
• 6M: 32.94%
• 1Y: 45.29%
• 3Y*: 21.83%
• 5Y*: 10.07%
• 10Y*: —

QQQI

• 1D: -2.87%
• 1M: -0.93%
• YTD: 9.86%
• 6M: 8.75%
• 1Y: 24.88%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SCDL vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SCDL ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN	33.87%	2.05%	12.25%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	9.86%	18.62%	19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SCDL and QQQI is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.31

The correlation between SCDL and QQQI shifts across timeframes, from 0.18 (1 year) to 0.31 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SCDL vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SCDL

SCDL Risk / Return Rank: 71
SCDL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
SCDL Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
SCDL Omega Ratio Rank: 62
SCDL Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SCDL Martin Ratio Rank: 65

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 53
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

SCDL vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). 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.

	SCDL	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.10	1.69	+0.41
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	2.25	+0.76
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.47	2.60	+1.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.07	11.10	-0.04

SCDL vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCDL Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 1.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCDL and QQQI, 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

SCDL vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCDL drawdown since its inception was -34.87%, which is greater than QQQI's maximum drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCDL and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SCDL	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.87%	-20.00%	-14.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.19%	-9.61%	-0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.79%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.06%	-3.32%	-1.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.87%	-2.20%	-9.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.10%	2.25%	+1.85%

Volatility

SCDL vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN (SCDL) is 6.47%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 7.63%. This indicates that SCDL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SCDL	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	7.63%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.76%	11.99%	+2.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.70%	14.79%	+6.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.98%	17.53%	+11.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.81%	17.53%	+11.28%

SCDL vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SCDL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

SCDL vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

SCDL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 14.97%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	14.97%	13.82%	12.85%
SCDL ETRACS 2x Leveraged U.S. Dividend Factor TR ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SCDL and QQQI in my portfolio?

SCDL and QQQI have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SCDL or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (7.63%) compared to SCDL (6.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCDL dropped -34.87% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, SCDL or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, SCDL leads with 45.29% vs 24.88% for QQQI. On fees, QQQI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, SCDL has been the lower-risk option at 6.47%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SCDL or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, SCDL has performed better with a 45.29% return vs 24.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SCDL or QQQI?

QQQI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SCDL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SCDL or QQQI?

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 14.97%, compared with 0.00% for SCDL.

What is the main difference between SCDL and QQQI?

SCDL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: UBS and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SCDL and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SCDL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.69), 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.