SEPI vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SEPI (Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEPI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Shelton, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. SEPI is actively managed, while QYLD is passively managed. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SEPI charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

SEPI vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF (SEPI) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEPI achieves a 11.13% return, which is significantly higher than QYLD's 7.88% return.

SEPI

• 1D: -0.35%
• 1M: 5.29%
• YTD: 11.13%
• 6M: 11.62%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QYLD

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 1.62%
• YTD: 7.88%
• 6M: 9.97%
• 1Y: 23.93%
• 3Y*: 13.80%
• 5Y*: 8.43%
• 10Y*: 9.80%

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

SEPI vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
SEPI Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF	11.13%	6.85%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.88%	9.10%

Correlation

The correlation between SEPI and QYLD is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2025	0.78

Return for Risk

SEPI vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 88
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 94

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.

SEPI vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF (SEPI) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD). 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.

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SEPI	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	—	2.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.58	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.11	0.59	+1.52

Drawdowns

SEPI vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEPI drawdown since its inception was -7.66%, smaller than the maximum QYLD drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEPI and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEPI	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.66%	-24.75%	+17.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.97%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.35%	-0.06%	-0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.45%	-3.84%	+2.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	0.85%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	SEPI	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	1.85%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	7.12%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.53%	8.58%	+3.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.53%	14.70%	-2.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.53%	15.49%	-2.96%

SEPI vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEPI has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEPI vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

SEPI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.68%, less than QYLD's 11.46% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.46%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%
SEPI Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF	4.68%	1.37%	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 SEPI and QYLD in my portfolio?

SEPI and QYLD have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, SEPI or QYLD?

On fees, SEPI is cheaper at 0.54% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEPI or QYLD?

SEPI is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

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

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.46%, compared with 4.68% for SEPI.

What is the main difference between SEPI and QYLD?

SEPI is categorized as Derivative Income, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Shelton and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for SEPI and 0.60% for QYLD.