ETF Comparison
QQQ vs YMAX: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?
A head-to-head comparison of Invesco QQQ Trust and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.
Data updated April 5, 2026
Side-by-side snapshot
| QQQ | YMAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Invesco QQQ Trust | YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs |
| Issuer | Invesco | YieldMax |
| Price | $584.31 | $7.71 |
| Distribution yield | 0.46% | 82.07% |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 1.33% |
| AUM | $395.0B | $447M |
| Distribution frequency | Quarterly | Weekly |
| Underlying index | Nasdaq-100 Index | Basket (Yieldmax ETFs) |
| 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 | 01/16/2024 |
| Beta | 1.15 | 0.0 |
| Last dividend | $0.73 | $0.03 |
| Ex-dividend date | 03/23/2026 | 03/25/2026 |
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 YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) 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.
YMAX offers the higher yield at 82.07% 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 1.33%.
They track different benchmarks: QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while YMAX tracks Basket (Yieldmax ETFs), 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 YMAX would produce $683.92/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 $1,330 for YMAX (simplified, not compounded). The $1,150.00 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 YMAX tracks Basket (Yieldmax ETFs) using a covered call strategy. Beta is 1.15 for QQQ and 0.0 for YMAX, indicating YMAX is less volatile relative to the market.
Fund details
QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $395.0B in assets. YMAX is managed by YieldMax (launched 01/16/2024) with $447M 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 YMAX better for dividend income?
It depends on your goals. YMAX 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 YMAX?
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 YMAX (YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETFs) tracks Basket (Yieldmax ETFs) with a covered call approach. They are issued by Invesco and YieldMax respectively.
Can I hold both QQQ and YMAX?
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 YMAX?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while YMAX charges 1.33%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.
How much income does $10,000 in QQQ vs YMAX generate?
At current yields, $10,000 in QQQ would generate roughly $3.83 per month ($46.00 annually). The same in YMAX would produce about $683.92 per month ($8,207.00 annually).
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