VOO vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos. VOO is passively managed, while QQQI is actively managed. Over the past year, VOO returned 25.87% vs 25.24% for QQQI. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

VOO vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VOO having a 8.45% return and QQQI slightly higher at 8.55%.

VOO

• 1D: -2.59%
• 1M: 0.50%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 8.18%
• 1Y: 25.87%
• 3Y*: 21.52%
• 5Y*: 13.39%
• 10Y*: 15.23%

QQQI

• 1D: -3.97%
• 1M: 0.08%
• YTD: 8.55%
• 6M: 7.71%
• 1Y: 25.24%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VOO vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.45%	17.82%	21.00%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	8.55%	18.62%	19.83%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and QQQI is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 31, 2024	0.93

The correlation between VOO and QQQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOO vs. QQQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	QQQI
Technology	35.7%	53.3%
Financial Services	11.6%	0.3%
Communication Services	11.3%	15.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	12.1%
Healthcare	8.5%	4.3%
Industrials	8.3%	3.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.7%
Energy	3.5%	0.7%
Utilities	2.4%	1.5%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.2%

Return for Risk

VOO vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 66
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 57
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

VOO vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.87	+0.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	2.43	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.35	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	2.64	+0.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.53	11.74	+1.78
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is comparable to the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO 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

	VOO	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.87	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	1.18	-0.31

Drawdowns

VOO vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, which is greater than QQQI's maximum drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-20.00%	-13.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-9.61%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.90%	-4.47%	+1.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-2.20%	-1.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	2.15%	-0.23%

Volatility

VOO vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 3.74%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that VOO 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

	VOO	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	4.92%	-1.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.30%	10.68%	-1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.10%	13.61%	-1.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.84%	17.25%	-0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.02%	17.25%	+0.77%

VOO vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQI's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, less than QQQI's 13.79% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.79%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and QQQI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, VOO 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, VOO or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to VOO (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, VOO leads with 25.87% vs 25.24% for QQQI. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, VOO has performed better with a 25.87% return vs 25.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or QQQI?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for QQQI.

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

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.79%, compared with 1.05% for VOO.

What is the main difference between VOO and QQQI?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while QQQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.87), 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.