Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both HIPS and QYLG fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | HIPS | QYLG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 0.00% | 6.57% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 0.00% | -1.75% |
| Max Drawdown | 0.00% | -24.66% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
HIPS (GraniteShares HIPS US High Income ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by GraniteShares. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $105.0M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
QYLG (Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth) is a options-based income fund managed by Global X. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $141.6M in assets under management, this fund has been operational since its inception.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
In the head-to-head battle of HIPS vs QYLG, the choice depends on your specific goal. HIPS wins for Immediate Income with a 11.27% yield. However, QYLG is the better choice for Long-Term Growth due to superior total return performance.
Which fund is safer for retirement income? We analyze the yield sustainability and structural risk.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
HIPS
Annual Yield: 11.27%
$939/mo
($11,270/year)
Frequency: monthly
QYLG
Annual Yield: 8.32%
$694/mo
($8,323/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: HIPS generates $2,947/year more than QYLG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $58,931 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Higher income doesn't always mean better investment. Review the "Yield Trap" and "Total Return" sections above—you want income that's sustainable, not just headline-grabbing.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. QYLG has delivered a superior Total Return of 6.57% over the past year.
What is an Expense Ratio? The annual fee charged by the fund, expressed as a percentage of assets. It's deducted daily from the fund's NAV, making it invisible to most investors—but it compounds over time.
QYLG (LOWER COST)
0.350%
Annual expense ratio
HIPS (HIGHER COST)
1.170%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.82%": That seemingly small difference of 0.820% annually becomes $16,400 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$43,317 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: QYLG is the clear winner for long-term buy-and-hold investors. Lower fees mean more capital compounds in YOUR account, not the fund manager's.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.