ETF Comparison
QQQ vs QYLD: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Invesco QQQ Trust and Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| QQQ | QYLD | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Invesco QQQ Trust | Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF |
| Issuer | Invesco | Global X |
| Price | $584.31 | $17.25 |
| Distribution yield | 0.46% | 11.62% |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.60% |
| AUM | $395.0B | $8.3B |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Underlying index | Nasdaq-100 Index | NASDAQ 100 |
| Objective | Track the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks. | Covered Call |
| Asset class | Equity | Equity |
| Inception date | 03/10/1999 | 12/11/2013 |
| Beta | 1.15 | 0.51 |
| Last dividend | $0.73 | $0.17 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/23/2026 | 03/23/2026 |
Visual comparison
Key metrics
Projected income on $10K
Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.
Quick verdict
QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) and QYLD (Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF) are both popular quarterly-pay track the nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial nasdaq stocks. ETFs, but they take different approaches.
QYLD offers the higher yield at 11.62% vs 0.46% for QQQ. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.
QQQ is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.18% compared to 0.60%.
They track different benchmarks: QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while QYLD tracks NASDAQ 100, which means their performance drivers differ.
QQQ is the larger fund by assets ($395.0B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.
Deep dive
Yield & income
On a $10,000 investment, QQQ would generate roughly $3.83/month while QYLD would produce $96.83/month at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.
Cost & efficiency
Over 10 years on $10,000, QQQ would cost approximately $180 in fees vs $600 for QYLD (simplified, not compounded). The $420.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.
Strategy & risk
QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a track the nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial nasdaq stocks. approach, while QYLD tracks NASDAQ 100 using a covered call strategy. Beta is 1.15 for QQQ and 0.51 for QYLD, indicating QYLD is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $395.0B in assets. QYLD is managed by Global X (launched 12/11/2013) with $8.3B in assets.
Income calculator
See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.
Frequently asked questions
Is QQQ or QYLD better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. QYLD currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.
What is the difference between QQQ and QYLD?
QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a track the nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial nasdaq stocks. strategy, while QYLD (Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF) tracks NASDAQ 100 with a covered call approach. They are issued by Invesco and Global X respectively.
Can I hold both QQQ and QYLD?
Yes. Many income investors hold both to diversify across different strategies and underlying indexes. This can reduce concentration risk while maintaining a strong income stream.
Which has lower fees, QQQ or QYLD?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while QYLD charges 0.60%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in QQQ vs QYLD generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in QQQ would generate roughly $3.83 per month ($46.00 annually). The same in QYLD would produce about $96.83 per month ($1,162.00 annually).
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