Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both JEPQ and QQQI fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | JEPQ | QQQI |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 18.47% | 18.34% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | 6.84% | 4.05% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.48% | -23.79% |
| Beta | 0.85 | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium) is a options-based income fund managed by JPMorgan. It tracks the Nasdaq-100 index across approximately 100 positions. With $32.5B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since May 2022.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
QQQI (NEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income) is a options-based income fund managed by NEOS. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $7.4B 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 JEPQ vs QQQI, the choice depends on your specific goal. QQQI wins for Immediate Income with a 14.29% yield. However, JEPQ 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:
JEPQ
Annual Yield: 11.63%
$969/mo
($11,630/year)
Frequency: monthly
QQQI
Annual Yield: 14.29%
$1,191/mo
($14,289/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: QQQI generates $2,659/year more than JEPQ on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $53,179 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. JEPQ has delivered a superior Total Return of 18.47% 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.
JEPQ (LOWER COST)
0.350%
Annual expense ratio
QQQI (HIGHER COST)
0.680%
Annual expense ratio
20-YEAR FEE IMPACT SIMULATION ($100,000 INITIAL INVESTMENT)
The Hidden Cost of "Just 0.33%": That seemingly small difference of 0.330% annually becomes $6,600 in lost wealth over 20 years. Factor in compound growth, and you're giving up ~$18,207 in potential portfolio value.
💡 Cost Efficiency Winner: JEPQ 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.