Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both QYLD and XYLD fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | QYLD | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 11.51% | 7.13% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -0.50% | -2.44% |
| Max Drawdown | -20.58% | -16.95% |
| Beta | 0.78 | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
QYLD (Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call) is a options-based income fund managed by GlobalX. It tracks the Nasdaq-100 index across approximately 103 positions. With $8.2B in assets under management, this fund has been operational since Dec 2013.
Strategy: Generates enhanced income through covered call options on equity holdings, trading upside potential for premium income.
XYLD (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call) is a options-based income fund managed by GlobalX. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $3.2B 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 QYLD vs XYLD, the choice depends on your specific goal. QYLD wins for Immediate Income with a 12.01% yield. However, QYLD 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:
QYLD
Annual Yield: 12.01%
$1,001/mo
($12,007/year)
Frequency: monthly
XYLD
Annual Yield: 9.57%
$798/mo
($9,573/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: QYLD generates $2,434/year more than XYLD on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $48,677 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. QYLD has delivered a superior Total Return of 11.51% over the past year.
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.
Real-World Scenario: $100,000 Investment
XYLD (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -16.95%
-$16,950
Worst unrealized loss
QYLD (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -20.58%
-$20,580
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: XYLD saved investors $3,630 in drawdown severity on a $100k position.
Why This Matters More Than Total Return: During bear markets or corrections, investors with lower max drawdown are:
⚖️ Capital Preservation Winner: XYLD demonstrated superior downside protection, making it the better choice for retirees who cannot afford steep temporary losses.
Every investor has a unique risk profile. Use our Portfolio Intelligence tool to see the impact of adding these ETFs to your holdings.