SPYT vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPYT (Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPYT is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Defiance, while QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SPYT returned 23.29% vs 30.41% for QQQI. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPYT charges 0.87%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

SPYT vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) 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, SPYT achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly lower than QQQI's 13.43% return.

SPYT

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.81%
• YTD: 9.70%
• 6M: 9.51%
• 1Y: 23.29%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQI

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 6.91%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 12.92%
• 1Y: 30.41%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SPYT vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	9.70%	12.41%	12.94%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.43%	18.62%	15.03%

Correlation

The correlation between SPYT and QQQI is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2024	0.91

The correlation between SPYT and QQQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPYT vs. QQQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPYT	QQQI
Technology	36.2%	53.3%
Financial Services	11.9%	0.3%
Communication Services	10.9%	15.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.1%
Healthcare	8.4%	4.3%
Industrials	8.1%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.7%
Energy	3.5%	0.7%
Utilities	2.3%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

SPYT vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPYT

SPYT Risk / Return Rank: 65
SPYT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
SPYT Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPYT Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
SPYT Martin Ratio Rank: 72

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 68
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SPYT vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) 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.

	SPYT	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	2.35	-0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	3.12	-0.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.43	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.18	-0.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.59	14.27	-0.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPYT vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPYT Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 2.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPYT 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SPYT	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	2.35	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.08	1.34	-0.25

Drawdowns

SPYT vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPYT drawdown since its inception was -18.25%, smaller than the maximum QQQI drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPYT and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPYT	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.25%	-20.00%	+1.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-9.61%	+1.61%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.68%	-0.17%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.00%	-2.20%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.72%	2.14%	-0.42%

Volatility

SPYT vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF (SPYT) is 2.54%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 2.68%. This indicates that SPYT 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

	SPYT	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.54%	2.68%	-0.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.32%	9.85%	-1.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.86%	12.98%	-2.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.80%	17.07%	-2.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.80%	17.07%	-2.27%

SPYT vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPYT has a 0.87% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPYT vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

SPYT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 20.73%, more than QQQI's 13.19% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.19%	13.82%	12.85%
SPYT Defiance S&P 500 Income Target ETF	20.73%	21.40%	17.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPYT and QQQI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SPYT and QQQI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SPYT or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (2.68%) compared to SPYT (2.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPYT dropped -18.25% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, SPYT or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 30.41% vs 23.29% for SPYT. On fees, QQQI is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, SPYT has been the lower-risk option at 2.54%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPYT or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 30.41% return vs 23.29%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPYT or QQQI?

QQQI is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.87% for SPYT.

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

SPYT has the higher dividend yield at 20.73%, compared with 13.19% for QQQI.

What is the main difference between SPYT and QQQI?

SPYT is categorized as Derivative Income, while QQQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.87% for SPYT and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.35 vs 2.16), 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.