YLD vs. JEPQ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

YLD (Principal Active High Yield ETF) and JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - YLD is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Principal, while JEPQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index. YLD is actively managed, while JEPQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, YLD returned 8.77%/yr vs 19.91%/yr for JEPQ. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. YLD charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for JEPQ.

Performance

YLD vs. JEPQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, YLD achieves a 3.11% return, which is significantly lower than JEPQ's 7.85% return.

YLD

• 1D: 0.48%
• 1M: 1.27%
• YTD: 3.11%
• 6M: 3.78%
• 1Y: 7.53%
• 3Y*: 8.77%
• 5Y*: 4.83%
• 10Y*: 5.85%

JEPQ

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 1.08%
• YTD: 7.85%
• 6M: 8.80%
• 1Y: 26.60%
• 3Y*: 19.91%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

YLD vs. JEPQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	3.11%	6.55%	9.19%	12.93%	-2.14%
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	7.85%	15.18%	24.85%	36.28%	-11.16%

Correlation

The correlation between YLD and JEPQ is 0.58, 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	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.50

The correlation between YLD and JEPQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.47 (3 years) to 0.58 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

YLD vs. JEPQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

YLD

YLD Risk / Return Rank: 66
YLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
YLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
YLD Omega Ratio Rank: 57
YLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
YLD Martin Ratio Rank: 76

JEPQ

JEPQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
JEPQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
JEPQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
JEPQ Omega Ratio Rank: 79
JEPQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
JEPQ Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

YLD vs. JEPQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) and JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ). 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.

	YLD	JEPQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.68	2.03	-0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	2.69	-0.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.40	-0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.70	2.91	+0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.68	13.84	-1.15

YLD vs. JEPQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current YLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the JEPQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of YLD and JEPQ, 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

YLD vs. JEPQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum YLD drawdown since its inception was -28.34%, which is greater than JEPQ's maximum drawdown of -20.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for YLD and JEPQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	YLD	JEPQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.34%	-20.07%	-8.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.98%	-8.82%	+6.84%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.62%	-20.07%	+14.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.89%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-1.64%	+1.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.70%	-3.41%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.58%	1.85%	-1.27%

Volatility

YLD vs. JEPQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Active High Yield ETF (YLD) is 1.34%, while JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPQ) has a volatility of 4.98%. This indicates that YLD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than JEPQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	YLD	JEPQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.34%	4.98%	-3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.50%	10.22%	-6.72%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.36%	12.61%	-8.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.39%	16.73%	-10.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	8.20%	16.73%	-8.53%

YLD vs. JEPQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

YLD has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than JEPQ's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

YLD vs. JEPQ - Dividend Comparison

YLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.25%, less than JEPQ's 10.22% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEPQ JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF	10.22%	10.53%	9.65%	10.03%	9.44%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
YLD Principal Active High Yield ETF	7.25%	7.33%	7.12%	6.46%	6.51%	3.92%	4.40%	4.81%	5.42%	6.28%	4.47%	2.56%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both YLD and JEPQ in my portfolio?

YLD and JEPQ have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, YLD or JEPQ?

JEPQ has higher volatility (4.98%) compared to YLD (1.34%). In terms of maximum drawdown, YLD dropped -28.34% vs JEPQ's -20.07%.

Which ETF is better, YLD or JEPQ?

On 3-year performance, JEPQ leads with 19.91% vs 8.77% for YLD. On fees, JEPQ is cheaper at 0.35% per year. On volatility, YLD has been the lower-risk option at 1.34%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, YLD or JEPQ?

Over the 3-year period, JEPQ has performed better with a 19.91% return vs 8.77%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, YLD or JEPQ?

JEPQ is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for YLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, YLD or JEPQ?

JEPQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.22%, compared with 7.25% for YLD.

What is the main difference between YLD and JEPQ?

YLD is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while JEPQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Principal and JPMorgan. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for YLD and 0.35% for JEPQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JEPQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.03 vs 1.68), 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.