XLCI vs. QQA

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLCI (State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and QQA (Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, XLCI returned 4.28% vs 20.59% for QQA. Their 0.47 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. XLCI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.29%/yr for QQA.

Performance

XLCI vs. QQA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) 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, XLCI achieves a -2.58% return, which is significantly lower than QQA's 9.17% return.

XLCI

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: -0.56%
• 6M: -4.49%
• YTD: -2.58%
• 1Y: 4.28%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.98%

QQA

• 1D: 0.79%
• 1M: -2.29%
• 6M: 7.72%
• YTD: 9.17%
• 1Y: 20.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.11%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	$6.94M	$6.91M	$6.83M
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$102.51K	$79.36K	$72.31K

XLCI vs. QQA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	-2.58%	6.73%
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	9.17%	8.71%

Correlation

The correlation between XLCI and QQA is 0.47, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	0.47

XLCI vs. QQA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLCI	QQA
Communication Services	100.0%	13.1%
Financial Services	99.8%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.3%
Energy	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	3.6%
Industrials	-	2.7%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	60.9%
Utilities	-	1.1%

Return for Risk

XLCI vs. QQA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XLCI

XLCI Risk / Return Rank: 18
XLCI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
XLCI Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
XLCI Omega Ratio Rank: 16
XLCI Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
XLCI Martin Ratio Rank: 20

QQA

QQA Risk / Return Rank: 56
QQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
QQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
QQA Omega Ratio Rank: 49
QQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQA Martin Ratio Rank: 66

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XLCI vs. QQA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) 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.

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.

	XLCI	QQA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.29	1.25	-0.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.47	1.78	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.22	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.42	2.17	-1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.23	7.99	-6.75

XLCI vs. QQA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLCI Sharpe Ratio is 0.29, which is lower than the QQA Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLCI 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.

Drawdowns

XLCI vs. QQA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLCI drawdown since its inception was -8.44%, smaller than the maximum QQA drawdown of -19.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLCI and QQA.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLCI	QQA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-8.44%	-19.73%	+11.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.44%	-8.76%	+0.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.54%	-4.91%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.06%	-2.57%	+0.51%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	2.37%	+0.49%

Volatility

XLCI vs. QQA - Volatility Comparison

State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLCI) and Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF (QQA) have volatilities of 5.62% and 5.74%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLCI	QQA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.62%	5.74%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.27%	12.66%	-2.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.32%	15.25%	-2.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.29%	18.67%	-6.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.29%	18.67%	-6.38%

XLCI vs. QQA - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLCI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QQA's 0.29% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLCI vs. QQA - Dividend Comparison

XLCI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.73%, more than QQA's 10.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024
QQA Invesco QQQ Income Advantage ETF	10.14%	9.78%	4.29%
XLCI State Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.73%	5.23%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLCI and QQA in my portfolio?

XLCI and QQA have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLCI or QQA?

QQA has higher volatility (5.74%) compared to XLCI (5.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLCI dropped -8.44% vs QQA's -19.73%.

Which ETF is better, XLCI or QQA?

On 1-year performance, QQA leads with 20.59% vs 4.28% for XLCI. On fees, QQA is cheaper at 0.29% per year. On volatility, XLCI has been the lower-risk option at 5.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLCI or QQA?

Over the 1-year period, QQA has performed better with a 20.59% return vs 4.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLCI or QQA?

QQA is cheaper with a 0.29% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XLCI.

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

XLCI has the higher dividend yield at 11.73%, compared with 10.14% for QQA.

What is the main difference between XLCI and QQA?

They also come from different issuers: State Street and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLCI and 0.29% for QQA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.25 vs 0.29), 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.