If you want maximum headline income
→ QYLD
QYLD leads yield (~12.0%) and also leads 1Y total return — income without an obvious total-return penalty in this window.
Two income funds compared side-by-side using the available DivAgent snapshot. See which one fits your yield strategy.
8-second verdict · always free
If you want maximum headline income
→ QYLD
QYLD leads yield (~12.0%) and also leads 1Y total return — income without an obvious total-return penalty in this window.
If you want total return (paid + price)
→ QYLD
QYLD leads 1Y total return (~21.3%) while also leading yield in this pair.
If you need sleep-at-night sizing
→ Neither alone
Both sit at Tier 4+ (elevated structural risk). Size inside a diversified sleeve with Tier 1–2 ballast.
Neither fund currently meets this page's high-yield and NAV-decline screen. That result does not establish distribution sustainability or composition; those require separate issuer evidence.
When the edge flips — yield, total return, or NAV path — we email the updated tape. Plus the free Yield Trap cheat sheet: what high-yield funds actually paid vs what their prices did.
Path A · Still deciding
Related battlesMore JEPI and QYLD matchups in the same decision space — different trade-offs.
Path B · Picked a side
Full ticker auditsDeep-dive JEPI or QYLD: distribution history, risk tier, peer set.
Audit QYLD →Path C · Want a system
Leaderboard & portfoliosSee how income funds rank by risk tier and matrix cell — then track holdings free.
What this means: Both JEPI and QYLD fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | JEPI | QYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 9.16% | 21.33% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 1.09% | 8.72% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.35% | -20.58% |
| Beta | 0.65 | 0.78 |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
JEPI (JPMorgan Equity Premium Income) is listed with JPMorgan as provider. Reported index: S&P 500. Reported holdings: 130. Reported assets under management: $45.6B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 4, 7.75% annualized yield, 1.09% 1Y NAV change, and 9.16% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
QYLD (Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call) is listed with Global X as provider. Reported index: Nasdaq-100. Reported holdings: 103. Reported assets under management: $8.3B.
Observed profile: DivAgent currently reports Tier 4, 11.98% annualized yield, 8.72% 1Y NAV change, and 21.33% 1Y total return. The tier is a risk classification; it does not by itself identify the fund's holdings or strategy.
In the head-to-head battle of JEPI vs QYLD, the choice depends on your specific goal. QYLD leads Immediate Income with a 11.98% yield. QYLD leads 1Y Total Return in the current data.
Compare the reported annualized yield, payout frequency, and DivAgent risk tier.
The Bottom Line Question: If you invest $100,000 today, how much cash will you actually receive each month? Here's the exact math:
JEPI
Annual Yield: 7.75%
$646/mo
($7,752/year)
Frequency: monthly
QYLD
Annual Yield: 11.98%
$998/mo
($11,980/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: QYLD generates $4,228/year more than JEPI on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $84,566 in additional cash flow (before reinvestment).
Context Matters: Compare annualized yield with NAV change and total return rather than using the yield figure alone.
Historical data reveals how these funds behave during market stress. QYLD has the higher current 1Y total return at 21.33%.
What is Max Drawdown? Max drawdown measures the largest peak-to-trough decline in portfolio value during a specific period. Unlike NAV change (which only looks at start vs. end), max drawdown captures the worst moment of pain an investor experienced.
Illustrative $100,000 Position
JEPI (Smaller Reported Drawdown)
Max Drawdown: -14.35%
-$14,350
Illustrative peak-to-trough change
QYLD (Larger Reported Drawdown)
Max Drawdown: -20.58%
-$20,580
Illustrative peak-to-trough change
Observed Difference: The reported drawdowns differ by an illustrative $6,230 on a $100k position.
A smaller historical drawdown is one risk observation, not a guarantee of future downside behavior or investor outcomes.
What is Beta? Beta measures how much a fund moves relative to the broader market. A beta of 1.0 means it moves in lockstep with the market. Higher beta = more volatility = more risk.
JEPI EFFICIENCY SCORE
11.93%
Beta: 0.65 | Yield: 7.75%
QYLD EFFICIENCY SCORE
15.36%
Beta: 0.78 | Yield: 11.98%
Winner: QYLD generates 15.36% yield per unit of market risk, compared to JEPI's 11.93%.
Practical Application: For defensive portfolios (retirees, conservative investors), QYLD delivers more income per "unit of stress." This makes it the superior choice for sleep-well-at-night income generation.
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.
JEPI (LOWER COST)
0.350%
Annual expense ratio
QYLD (HIGHER COST)
0.600%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.25%": That seemingly small difference of 0.250% annually becomes $5,000 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$13,892 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: JEPI 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.