VTI vs. QQQI

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while QQQI is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Neos. VTI is passively managed, while QQQI is actively managed. Over the past year, VTI returned 24.96% vs 25.86% for QQQI. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for QQQI.

Performance

VTI vs. QQQI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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, VTI achieves a 9.05% return, which is significantly lower than QQQI's 9.93% return.

VTI

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 0.44%
• YTD: 9.05%
• 6M: 8.94%
• 1Y: 24.96%
• 3Y*: 21.05%
• 5Y*: 12.25%
• 10Y*: 14.84%

QQQI

• 1D: 1.27%
• 1M: -0.05%
• YTD: 9.93%
• 6M: 9.25%
• 1Y: 25.86%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VTI vs. QQQI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	9.05%	17.10%	20.21%
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	9.93%	18.62%	19.44%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and QQQI is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2024	0.92

The correlation between VTI and QQQI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTI vs. QQQI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VTI	QQQI
Technology	33.5%	53.3%
Financial Services	12.0%	0.3%
Communication Services	10.3%	15.7%
Consumer Cyclical	10.0%	12.1%
Industrials	9.8%	3.3%
Healthcare	9.2%	4.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.7%	7.7%
Energy	3.7%	0.7%
Real Estate	2.4%	0.1%
Utilities	2.3%	1.5%
Basic Materials	2.0%	1.2%

Return for Risk

VTI vs. QQQI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 68
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QQQI

QQQI Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
QQQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QQQI Omega Ratio Rank: 66
QQQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQI Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

VTI vs. QQQI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

	VTI	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.02	1.91	+0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	2.48	+0.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.36	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.70	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.85	11.98	+0.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VTI vs. QQQI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 2.02, which is comparable to the QQQI Sharpe Ratio of 1.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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

	VTI	QQQI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.02	1.91	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.50	1.22	-0.72

Drawdowns

VTI vs. QQQI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, which is greater than QQQI's maximum drawdown of -20.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and QQQI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VTI	QQQI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-55.45%	-20.00%	-35.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-9.61%	+0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.36%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.64%	-3.26%	+0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.02%	-2.20%	-5.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.95%	2.16%	-0.21%

Volatility

VTI vs. QQQI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 3.88%, while NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (QQQI) has a volatility of 5.07%. This indicates that VTI 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

	VTI	QQQI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	5.07%	-1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.55%	10.75%	-1.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.44%	13.65%	-1.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.44%	17.25%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.33%	17.25%	+1.08%

VTI vs. QQQI - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

VTI vs. QQQI - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than QQQI's 13.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQI NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.61%	13.82%	12.85%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.03%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VTI and QQQI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, VTI 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, VTI or QQQI?

QQQI has higher volatility (5.07%) compared to VTI (3.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs QQQI's -20.00%.

Which ETF is better, VTI or QQQI?

On 1-year performance, QQQI leads with 25.86% vs 24.96% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 3.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VTI or QQQI?

Over the 1-year period, QQQI has performed better with a 25.86% return vs 24.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VTI or QQQI?

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

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

QQQI has the higher dividend yield at 13.61%, compared with 1.03% for VTI.

What is the main difference between VTI and QQQI?

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QQQI is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Neos. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.68% for QQQI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.02 vs 1.91), 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.