Two of the market's most popular income ETFs compared side-by-side. See which one fits your yield strategy.
What this means: Both QYLG and XYLG fall intoTier 4: Harvest. This suggests they share a similar risk profile and volatility expectation.
| Metric | QYLG | XYLG |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 6.57% | 2.92% |
| NAV Change (1Y) | -1.75% | -1.96% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.66% | -20.75% |
| Beta | - | - |
* Returns include dividend reinvestment. Drawdown calculates peak-to-trough decline over trailing 12 months.
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.
XYLG (Global X S&P 500 Covered Call & Growth ETF) is a options-based income fund managed by Global X. It focuses on generating income through strategic holdings. With $64.1M 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 QYLG vs XYLG, the choice depends on your specific goal. QYLG wins for Immediate Income with a 8.32% 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:
QYLG
Annual Yield: 8.32%
$694/mo
($8,323/year)
Frequency: monthly
XYLG
Annual Yield: 4.88%
$407/mo
($4,883/year)
Frequency: monthly
Income Gap: QYLG generates $3,440/year more than XYLG on the same $100k investment.
Over 20 years, that's $68,795 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 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
XYLG (More Resilient)
Max Drawdown: -20.75%
-$20,750
Worst unrealized loss
QYLG (More Volatile)
Max Drawdown: -24.66%
-$24,660
Worst unrealized loss
Protection Value: XYLG saved investors $3,910 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: XYLG 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.