VEA vs. QYLD

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.14%/yr vs 9.77%/yr for QYLD. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEA charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

VEA vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) 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, VEA achieves a 12.02% return, which is significantly higher than QYLD's 7.05% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VEA having a 10.14% annualized return and QYLD not far behind at 9.77%.

VEA

• 1D: 1.00%
• 1M: -1.37%
• YTD: 12.02%
• 6M: 14.95%
• 1Y: 28.06%
• 3Y*: 18.65%
• 5Y*: 9.09%
• 10Y*: 10.14%

QYLD

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 0.23%
• YTD: 7.05%
• 6M: 8.87%
• 1Y: 22.45%
• 3Y*: 13.42%
• 5Y*: 8.24%
• 10Y*: 9.77%

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

VEA vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	12.02%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.05%	9.28%	19.35%	22.77%	-19.08%	10.41%	8.72%	22.69%	-3.07%	18.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and QYLD is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 13, 2013	0.61

The correlation between VEA and QYLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEA vs. QYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEA	QYLD
Financial Services	23.3%	0.2%
Industrials	19.2%	2.8%
Technology	13.8%	53.8%
Healthcare	8.2%	4.2%
Basic Materials	7.5%	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	7.5%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	5.6%	7.7%
Energy	5.4%	0.6%
Communication Services	3.4%	15.8%
Utilities	3.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	2.7%	0.1%

Return for Risk

VEA vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 56
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 57
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 58

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 89
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 92
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 95

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.

VEA vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) 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.

	VEA	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	2.56	-0.81
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.39	3.53	-1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.57	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	4.54	-2.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	26.31	-16.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEA vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and QYLD, 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

	VEA	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.75	2.56	-0.81
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.56	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59	0.63	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.24	0.59	-0.35

Drawdowns

VEA vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than QYLD's maximum drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-24.75%	-35.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-4.97%	-6.66%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-19.06%	+5.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-24.61%	-5.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	-24.75%	-10.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.40%	-0.83%	-2.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.29%	-3.83%	-9.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.00%	0.86%	+2.14%

Volatility

VEA vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.03% compared to Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) at 2.86%. This indicates that VEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	2.86%	+3.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.91%	7.44%	+6.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.15%	8.84%	+7.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.63%	14.73%	+1.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	15.51%	+1.89%

VEA vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEA has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEA vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, less than QYLD's 11.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.55%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.69%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and QYLD in my portfolio?

VEA and QYLD have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEA or QYLD?

VEA has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to QYLD (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which ETF is better, VEA or QYLD?

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.14% vs 9.77% for QYLD. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, QYLD has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VEA or QYLD?

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.14% return vs 9.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VEA or QYLD?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

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

QYLD has the higher dividend yield at 11.55%, compared with 2.69% for VEA.

What is the main difference between VEA and QYLD?

VEA is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while QYLD tracks CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VEA and 0.60% for QYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 1.75), 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.