SVOL vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SVOL (Simplify Volatility Premium ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SVOL is a Volatility fund actively managed by Simplify, while QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, SVOL returned 14.90% vs 27.00% for QQQI. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SVOL charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

SVOL vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) 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, SVOL achieves a -0.84% return, which is significantly lower than QQQI's 10.58% return.

SVOL

• 1D: 1.14%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: -0.84%
• 6M: 0.96%
• 1Y: 14.90%
• 3Y*: 5.92%
• 5Y*: 6.22%
• 10Y*: —

QQQI

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 0.70%
• YTD: 10.58%
• 6M: 11.20%
• 1Y: 27.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SVOL vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	-0.84%	2.41%	5.52%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	10.58%	18.62%	19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between SVOL and QQQI is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.75

The correlation between SVOL and QQQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SVOL vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

SVOL

SVOL Risk / Return Rank: 19
SVOL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
SVOL Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
SVOL Omega Ratio Rank: 19
SVOL Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
SVOL Martin Ratio Rank: 19

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 65
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

SVOL vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) 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.

	SVOL	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.50	1.84	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	2.43	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.34	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	2.70	-1.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.90	11.63	-9.73

SVOL vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SVOL Sharpe Ratio is 0.50, which is lower than the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 1.84. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SVOL 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

SVOL vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SVOL drawdown since its inception was -33.50%, which is greater than QQQI's maximum drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SVOL and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	SVOL	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.50%	-20.00%	-13.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.01%	-9.61%	-3.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.50%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.50%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.40%	-2.69%	-0.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.76%	-2.21%	-2.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.50%	2.23%	+3.27%

Volatility

SVOL vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify Volatility Premium ETF (SVOL) is 3.48%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 6.10%. This indicates that SVOL 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

	SVOL	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.48%	6.10%	-2.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.95%	11.35%	-1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.81%	14.10%	+6.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.01%	17.34%	+4.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.90%	17.34%	+4.56%

SVOL vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

SVOL has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

SVOL vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

SVOL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 22.19%, more than QQQI's 13.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.53%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SVOL Simplify Volatility Premium ETF	22.19%	19.82%	16.79%	16.36%	18.32%	4.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SVOL and QQQI in my portfolio?

SVOL and QQQI have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SVOL or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (6.10%) compared to SVOL (3.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SVOL dropped -33.50% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, SVOL or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 27.00% vs 14.90% for SVOL. On fees, SVOL is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, SVOL has been the lower-risk option at 3.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SVOL or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 27.00% return vs 14.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SVOL or QQQI?

SVOL is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.

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

SVOL has the higher dividend yield at 22.19%, compared with 13.53% for QQQI.

What is the main difference between SVOL and QQQI?

SVOL is categorized as Volatility, while QQQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SVOL and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.84 vs 0.50), 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.