TCAL vs. QQA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TCAL (T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF) and QQA (Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, TCAL returned -1.87% vs 32.22% for QQA. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. TCAL charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for QQA.

Performance

TCAL vs. QQA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL) and Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TCAL achieves a -2.88% return, which is significantly lower than QQA's 14.57% return.

TCAL

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -1.26%
• YTD: -2.88%
• 6M: -2.97%
• 1Y: -1.87%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQA

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 7.03%
• YTD: 14.57%
• 6M: 14.20%
• 1Y: 32.22%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

TCAL vs. QQA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TCAL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF	-2.88%	1.58%
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	14.57%	22.59%

Correlation

The correlation between TCAL and QQA is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 28, 2025	0.23

TCAL vs. QQA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TCAL	QQA
Industrials	19.3%	2.8%
Healthcare	18.7%	4.2%
Financial Services	15.0%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	11.3%	7.7%
Technology	11.3%	53.8%
Utilities	9.8%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	8.7%	12.3%
Real Estate	2.2%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.7%	1.1%
Energy	1.3%	0.6%
Communication Services	0.9%	15.8%

Return for Risk

TCAL vs. QQA — Risk / Return Rank

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

TCAL

TCAL Risk / Return Rank: 6
TCAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
TCAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
TCAL Omega Ratio Rank: 6
TCAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
TCAL Martin Ratio Rank: 5

QQA

QQA Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
QQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQA Omega Ratio Rank: 76
QQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQA Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

TCAL vs. QQA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL) and Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA). 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.

	TCAL	QQA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.20	2.57	-2.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.22	3.47	-3.69
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.46	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.27	3.70	-3.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.70	16.59	-17.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TCAL vs. QQA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TCAL Sharpe Ratio is -0.20, which is lower than the QQA Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TCAL and QQA, 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

	TCAL	QQA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.20	2.57	-2.77
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.10	1.18	-1.28

Drawdowns

TCAL vs. QQA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TCAL drawdown since its inception was -7.24%, smaller than the maximum QQA drawdown of -19.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TCAL and QQA.

Drawdown Indicators

	TCAL	QQA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.24%	-19.73%	+12.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.00%	-8.76%	+1.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.92%	-0.10%	-5.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.02%	-2.44%	+0.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.67%	1.95%	+0.72%

Volatility

TCAL vs. QQA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF (TCAL) is 2.46%, while Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA) has a volatility of 2.91%. This indicates that TCAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TCAL	QQA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.46%	2.91%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.08%	9.68%	-2.60%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.31%	12.59%	-3.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.25%	18.27%	-7.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.25%	18.27%	-7.02%

TCAL vs. QQA - Expense Ratio Comparison

TCAL has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is higher than QQA's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

TCAL vs. QQA - Dividend Comparison

TCAL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.96%, more than QQA's 9.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	9.29%	9.78%	4.29%
TCAL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Premium Income ETF	11.96%	8.34%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TCAL and QQA in my portfolio?

TCAL and QQA have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TCAL or QQA?

QQA has higher volatility (2.91%) compared to TCAL (2.46%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TCAL dropped -7.24% vs QQA's -19.73%.

Which ETF is better, TCAL or QQA?

On 1-year performance, QQA leads with 32.22% vs -1.87% for TCAL. On fees, QQA is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, TCAL has been the lower-risk option at 2.46%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TCAL or QQA?

Over the 1-year period, QQA has performed better with a 32.22% return vs -1.87%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TCAL or QQA?

QQA is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.34% for TCAL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TCAL or QQA?

TCAL has the higher dividend yield at 11.96%, compared with 9.29% for QQA.

What is the main difference between TCAL and QQA?

They also come from different issuers: T. Rowe Price and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for TCAL and 0.29% for QQA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -0.20), 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.