XLSI vs. QYLD

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XLSI (Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XLSI is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by State Street, while QYLD is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the CBOE NASDAQ-100 Buy Write V2. XLSI is actively managed, while QYLD is passively managed. Over the past year, XLSI returned 6.59% vs 20.66% for QYLD. Their -0.12 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. XLSI charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for QYLD.

Performance

XLSI vs. QYLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) 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, XLSI achieves a 6.67% return, which is significantly lower than QYLD's 7.67% return.

XLSI

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.27%
• 6M: 1.55%
• YTD: 6.67%
• 1Y: 6.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 5.53%

QYLD

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -0.98%
• 6M: 5.88%
• YTD: 7.67%
• 1Y: 20.66%
• 3Y*: 12.32%
• 5Y*: 7.83%
• 10Y*: 9.59%
• ALL TIME*: 8.57%

*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)
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	$83.30M	$78.68M	$98.28M
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	$285.83K	$265.98K	$245.15K

XLSI vs. QYLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	6.67%	-1.06%
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	7.67%	10.79%

Correlation

The correlation between XLSI and QYLD is -0.13, meaning they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. This relationship can weaken or reverse as market conditions change.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	-0.13
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 30, 2025	-0.12

XLSI vs. QYLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XLSI	QYLD
Financial Services	100.0%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	98.2%	6.7%
Consumer Cyclical	1.8%	10.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	12.5%
Energy	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	3.8%
Industrials	-	4.4%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	61.4%
Utilities	-	1.3%

Return for Risk

XLSI vs. QYLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XLSI

XLSI Risk / Return Rank: 26
XLSI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
XLSI Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XLSI Omega Ratio Rank: 26
XLSI Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
XLSI Martin Ratio Rank: 24

QYLD

QYLD Risk / Return Rank: 83
QYLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
QYLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QYLD Omega Ratio Rank: 83
QYLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
QYLD Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

XLSI vs. QYLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) 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.

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.

	XLSI	QYLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	1.73	-1.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	2.48	-1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.35	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.91	3.38	-2.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.87	15.70	-13.84

XLSI vs. QYLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XLSI Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is lower than the QYLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XLSI 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.

Drawdowns

XLSI vs. QYLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XLSI drawdown since its inception was -7.87%, smaller than the maximum QYLD drawdown of -24.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XLSI and QYLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XLSI	QYLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-7.87%	-24.75%	+16.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.87%	-5.78%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-19.06%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-24.75%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.93%	-2.96%	+1.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.20%	-3.81%	+0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.82%	1.24%	+2.58%

Volatility

XLSI vs. QYLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLSI) is 4.23%, while Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) has a volatility of 5.19%. This indicates that XLSI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QYLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XLSI	QYLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.23%	5.19%	-0.96%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.87%	10.04%	-1.17%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.17%	11.26%	-0.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.17%	15.04%	-3.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.17%	15.63%	-4.46%

XLSI vs. QYLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XLSI has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is lower than QYLD's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

XLSI vs. QYLD - Dividend Comparison

XLSI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.89%, which matches QYLD's 11.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QYLD Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF	11.89%	11.55%	12.50%	11.78%	13.75%	12.85%	11.16%	9.84%	12.44%	7.69%	9.15%	9.42%
XLSI Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF	11.89%	5.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XLSI and QYLD in my portfolio?

XLSI and QYLD have a correlation of -0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XLSI or QYLD?

QYLD has higher volatility (5.19%) compared to XLSI (4.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XLSI dropped -7.87% vs QYLD's -24.75%.

Which ETF is better, XLSI or QYLD?

On 1-year performance, QYLD leads with 20.66% vs 6.59% for XLSI. On fees, XLSI is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, XLSI has been the lower-risk option at 4.23%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XLSI or QYLD?

Over the 1-year period, QYLD has performed better with a 20.66% return vs 6.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XLSI or QYLD?

XLSI is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for QYLD.

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

XLSI and QYLD have nearly identical dividend yields, around 11.89%.

What is the main difference between XLSI and QYLD?

XLSI is categorized as Derivative Income, while QYLD is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Global X. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XLSI and 0.60% for QYLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QYLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.73 vs 0.64), 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.