ETF Comparison

QQQ vs TQQY: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Invesco QQQ Trust and GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Updated September 30, 2026

How these figures are calculated: methodology.

Best for

QQQInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.
TQQYInvestors who want to maximize current income — roughly 25.11%, generated by selling options premium.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

100% reinvested · ex-date convention. Period returns use this fixed assumption, independent of chart settings. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year.

QQQ has outpaced TQQY over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.14% total return against 0.84%. Measured from Feb 2025 — the start of shared available history — QQQ has compounded at 26.31% a year versus 1.16% for TQQY. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
Symbol	YTD cumulative	1Y cumulative	Since Feb 2025	Volatility	Sharpe	Sortino	Max drawdown
QQQ	21.07%	24.14%	26.31%	19.9%	0.86	1.24	-12.0%
TQQY	8.05%	0.84%	1.16%	20.4%	-0.18	-0.22	-19.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 30, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative period returns; 3Y, 5Y, and 10Y are annualized. The shared Since-start window is annualized only when it covers at least one year. “Since Feb 2025” measures every fund from February 26, 2025 — the start of shared available history — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the past year. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the past year) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Distribution rate and SEC yield

Metric	QQQ	TQQY
Forward distribution rate	0.41%	25.11%
Trailing 12-month yield	0.42%	53.14%
30-day SEC yield	—	0.33%

Total return (price change plus reinvested distributions) is the Total returns section above. A 30-day SEC yield can sit far from the headline distribution rate; both numbers are the fund's own published fields.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
Metric	QQQ	TQQY
Full name	Invesco QQQ Trust	GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF
Issuer	Invesco	GraniteShares
Last Close	$739.77 as of September 30, 2026	$12.26 as of September 30, 2026
Distribution rate	0.41%	25.11%
Trailing 12-month yield	0.42%	53.14%
30-day SEC yield	—	0.33%
Distribution Safety Score™	97	52
Safety-Adjusted Yield	0.40%	13.06%
Expense ratio	0.18%	1.15%
AUM	$501B	$5.52M
Distribution frequency	Quarterly	Weekly
Underlying index	Nasdaq-100 Index	Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)
Objective	Track the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks.	Seeks current income with secondary exposure to leveraged Nasdaq-100 ETFs through a derivatives-based options strategy utilizing leveraged QQQ ETFs as the reference asset.
Asset class	Equity	Equity
Inception date	03/10/1999	02/26/2025
Beta	1.26	1.4554
Last dividend	$0.75143 declared, pays 10/08/2026	$0.0592
Ex-dividend date	09/21/2026	09/25/2026

Bottom lineChoose QQQ if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside. Choose TQQY if you want to maximize current income — roughly 25.11%, generated by selling options premium. There's no free lunch: TQQY's payout comes from selling options, which caps upside and can erode the share price over time, while QQQ keeps full price exposure.

How the risk works

Read this before the income numbers below: the strategy mechanics on this page shape what those payouts can cost you.

Daily leverage reset. TQQY targets a multiple of the index's DAILY move, resetting every session. Over weeks and months the compounding of daily resets (volatility decay) can drag returns far below the stated multiple, especially in choppy markets — and losses are magnified the same way gains are.
Capped upside and premium dependence. TQQY generates income by selling options, which trades away part of a strong rally in exchange for premium. Distributions can include return of capital, and a payout the underlying assets cannot sustain shows up as NAV erosion over time — the big yield number is not free.

Learn the mechanics: Return of capital, explained · NAV erosion, explained · Why daily-reset leverage decays

Model this comparison:

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Invesco

ETFs246

Total AUM$1013B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Invesco is a major ETF provider known for offering a comprehensive lineup spanning multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company specializes in income-focused products including dividend, covered call, and bond strategies, while also maintaining broad exposure across equity, factor-based, thematic, and ESG investing themes. Invesco's portfolio ranges from index-tracking funds to alternatives and specialized offerings like digital assets and BulletShares, making it one of the more expansive ETF families available to investors.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on QQQ.

See all Invesco ETFs

GraniteShares

ETFs93

Total AUM$11.8B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

GraniteShares is known for offering specialized ETF strategies that extend beyond traditional equity and bond investing, particularly through structured products and income-focused solutions. The firm manages 48 ETFs organized around distinct fund families including Autocallable products, Commodities, Income strategies, Leveraged exposures, and their YieldBOOST line designed to enhance distributions. GraniteShares targets investors seeking alternative income generation methods and commodity access, with popular tickers like AHD, CRY, and FBL representing their diverse approach to yield enhancement and alternative asset classes.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on TQQY.

See all GraniteShares ETFs

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Quick verdict

QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) and TQQY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF) are both dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

TQQY offers the higher yield at 25.11% vs 0.41% 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 1.15%.

They have different reference exposures: QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while TQQY is linked to Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQ is the larger fund by assets ($501B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Who should choose each?

Choose QQQ

Invesco QQQ Trust

Want a growth tilt and can accept larger swings for more upside.
Want to keep costs low — a 0.18% expense ratio vs 1.15% for TQQY.
Prefer lower volatility — a beta of 1.3 vs 1.5 for TQQY.

Choose TQQY

GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF

Want to maximize current income — TQQY distributes roughly 25.11% from selling options premium, vs 0.41% for QQQ.
Are comfortable with an options-income strategy — a large payout in exchange for capped upside.

Not sure? Use the income calculator and snapshot above to weigh these trade-offs against your own goals.

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Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, QQQ would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution, while TQQY would produce $48.29 cash per distribution, at current distribution rates.

QQQ yield0.41%

TQQY yield25.11%

Cash diff on $10K$38.04

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, QQQ would cost approximately $180 in fees vs $1,150 for TQQY (simplified, not compounded). The $970.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

QQQ ER0.18%

TQQY ER1.15%

Strategy & risk

QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach, while TQQY tracks Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) with an options approach. Beta is 1.26 for QQQ and 1.4554 for TQQY, making QQQ the less volatile of the two by this measure.

QQQ beta1.26

TQQY beta1.4554

Fund details

QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $501B in assets. TQQY is managed by GraniteShares (launched 02/26/2025) with $5.52M in assets.

QQQ AUM$501B

TQQY AUM$5.52M

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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution rate for QQQ and TQQY?

QQQ currently distributes 0.41% and TQQY 25.11%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is QQQ or TQQY better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. TQQY 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 TQQY?

QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach, while TQQY (GraniteShares YieldBOOST QQQ ETF) tracks Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) with an options approach. They are issued by Invesco and GraniteShares respectively.

Can I hold both QQQ and TQQY?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is QQQ or TQQY safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — QQQ scores 97, TQQY scores 52, so QQQ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. QQQ has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.26 vs 1.46 for TQQY). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee, and the leverage, options-income, or crypto caveats flagged on this page apply regardless of score.

Which has lower fees, QQQ or TQQY?

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while TQQY charges 1.15%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in QQQ vs TQQY generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in QQQ would generate roughly $10.25 cash per distribution ($41.00 annually). The same in TQQY would produce about $48.29 cash per distribution ($2,511.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, QQQ or TQQY?

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Dividend dates and history

QQQ vs TQQY — at a glance

Generated September 26, 2026.

Overview

QQQ is a straightforward index ETF tracking the Nasdaq-100, holding the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on the Nasdaq. TQQY is a newly launched options-income ETF that references QQQ itself, using derivatives strategies on leveraged QQQ shares to generate income.

How they differ

QQQ and TQQY track the same underlying index, but their distribution mechanics are fundamentally different. The fee drag also diverges sharply: QQQ charges 0.18%, while TQQY's 1.15% includes the cost of options execution and portfolio management. TQQY is newly formed (inception 02/26/2025) with just $5.52M in assets under management, compared to QQQ's $501B established base.

Who each is best for

* QQQ: Fits investors seeking long-term capital appreciation through the largest Nasdaq growth names, with modest dividend reinvestment, and minimal portfolio turnover. Suits portfolios where growth exposure is the priority and income is incidental.

* TQQY: Fits investors primarily focused on current weekly income from options premium, willing to accept daily NAV volatility and the structural limitations of a newly established fund, with smaller asset bases and potentially wider bid-ask spreads.

Key risks to know

* Extreme yield and NAV erosion: TQQY's 25.11% distribution rate on a $12.26 share price implies weekly payouts that will likely deplete NAV unless underlying index gains or options premium consistently exceeds the payout. Funds distributing above 15% annually without offsetting capital appreciation face persistent share price decay.

* Options reference-asset risk: TQQY's structure depends on stable pricing and availability of call options on leveraged QQQ ETFs. If those reference instruments become less liquid or are delisted, the fund's income mechanism could be impaired.

* Leveraged-ETF decay: Because TQQY references leveraged QQQ shares, it inherits their daily rebalancing decay. In choppy markets, leveraged funds underperform their unleveraged counterparts, compressing the options premiums TQQY depends on for distributions.

* Beta and volatility misalignment: TQQY's beta of 1.4554 exceeds QQQ's 1.26, reflecting options leverage and derivatives exposure. This higher systematic risk amplifies downside in market corrections, potentially triggering cascading losses when call options expire in-the-money.

Bottom line

If you want diversified exposure to large-cap Nasdaq growth with stability and historical depth, QQQ's broad asset base and transparent fee structure make it the established choice. If your primary goal is maximizing current income from options strategies and you can tolerate weekly volatility, daily NAV fluctuations, and the risk of share-price erosion on a micro-cap fund, TQQY offers dramatically higher distributions—but at the cost of structural fragility. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

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The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

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These comparisons follow the Dividend Vision methodology.