QQQI vs RYLD: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared

NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETFRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: QQQI vs RYLD

Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.

QQQIRYLD

Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldQQQI14.96% vs 12.08%
Better 1-year total returnRYLD+13.61% vs +8.56%
Lower expense ratioRYLD0.60% vs 0.68%

QQQI vs RYLD at a glance

NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF (QQQI) and Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.

Over the past year, RYLD returned +13.61% with dividends reinvested, compared with +8.56% for QQQI. QQQI currently yields 14.96% (trailing 12-month) against 12.08% for RYLD.

The higher-yielding fund (QQQI) has trailed on 1-year total return. Yield only measures the income a fund pays; total return also counts the change in share price, so it is the fuller basis for comparing the two.

Key figures for QQQI and RYLD
MetricQQQIRYLD
Last close$51.02$15.45
Dividend yield14.96% (TTM)12.08% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.68%0.60%
Paysmonthlymonthly
Dividends, last 12 months$7.63 (12 payments)$1.87 (12 payments)
IssuerNEOS InvestmentsGlobal X
Inception——

Overview

Key fund stats as of the latest close.

ETFTTM yield1Y total returnLast closeLast dividendPaysIssuer
QQQINEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF
14.96%
+8.56%$51.02$0.6343MonthlyNEOS Investments
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF
12.08%
Best+13.61%$15.45$0.1478MonthlyGlobal X

Total returns

Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.

ETF1M3M6M1Y2Y5Y
QQQINEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF-8.26%-4.31%-3.12%+8.56%+27.82%—
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF+0.20%-2.64%+4.85%+13.61%+17.03%+10.29%

Dividends

Latest payout, trailing 12-month total and the last 12 distributions.

ETFLatest payoutvs. priorTrailing 12MRecent payouts
QQQINEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF$0.6343Oct 21, 2026+0.06%$7.630912 payoutsNov 26, 2025: $0.6304Dec 24, 2025: $0.6413Jan 21, 2026: $0.6359Feb 18, 2026: $0.614Mar 18, 2026: $0.6089Apr 22, 2026: $0.6297May 20, 2026: $0.6589Jun 16, 2026: $0.6572Jul 22, 2026: $0.6346Aug 19, 2026: $0.6518Sep 16, 2026: $0.6339Oct 21, 2026: $0.6343
RYLDRussell 2000 Covered Call ETF$0.1478Oct 19, 2026+0.20%$1.866412 payoutsNov 24, 2025: $0.1518Dec 22, 2025: $0.1551Jan 20, 2026: $0.1573Feb 23, 2026: $0.1584Mar 23, 2026: $0.1475Apr 20, 2026: $0.1566May 18, 2026: $0.1568Jun 22, 2026: $0.1618Jul 20, 2026: $0.1605Aug 24, 2026: $0.1653Sep 21, 2026: $0.1475Oct 19, 2026: $0.1478

Downside and distribution variability

Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.

Across 698 shared trading dates from January 30, 2024 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -19.98% for QQQI and -19.05% for RYLD. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.

QQQI's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.6089 to $0.6589 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

RYLD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.1475 to $0.1653 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.

Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.

How the fund strategies differ

Strategy notes checked against issuer sources on ; market figures above update separately.

QQQI: NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF

Invests in Nasdaq-100 constituents and uses sold and purchased Nasdaq-100 index call options to seek monthly income and potential equity appreciation.

The options strategy adds derivatives risk and distributions can vary. Distribution composition may include return of capital; issuer estimates are not final tax reporting.

Source: NEOS QQQI fund page and distribution notices. Read the current issuer documents for complete objectives, holdings and risks.

Recent distributions

The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.

QQQIRYLD
Oct 21, 2026$0.6343Oct 19, 2026$0.1478
Sep 16, 2026$0.6339Sep 21, 2026$0.1475
Aug 19, 2026$0.6518Aug 24, 2026$0.1653
Jul 22, 2026$0.6346Jul 20, 2026$0.1605
Jun 16, 2026$0.6572Jun 22, 2026$0.1618
May 20, 2026$0.6589May 18, 2026$0.1568
Apr 22, 2026$0.6297Apr 20, 2026$0.1566
Mar 18, 2026$0.6089Mar 23, 2026$0.1475
Feb 18, 2026$0.614Feb 23, 2026$0.1584
Jan 21, 2026$0.6359Jan 20, 2026$0.1573
Dec 24, 2025$0.6413Dec 22, 2025$0.1551
Nov 26, 2025$0.6304Nov 24, 2025$0.1518

QQQI vs RYLD: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, QQQI or RYLD?

As of November 9, 2026, QQQI yields 14.96% (trailing 12-month) and RYLD yields 12.08% (trailing 12-month), so QQQI currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.

Which has performed better, QQQI or RYLD?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, QQQI returned +8.56% and RYLD returned +13.61%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in QQQI vs RYLD be worth after one year?

With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $10,856 in QQQI and $11,361 in RYLD.

Which is cheaper to own, QQQI or RYLD?

RYLD has the lower expense ratio at 0.60% a year, compared with 0.68% for QQQI. On $10,000 that is roughly $60 vs $68 a year.

How often do QQQI and RYLD pay dividends?

QQQI pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and RYLD pays monthly (12 payments).

Is QQQI or RYLD the better investment?

It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.

Research QQQI and RYLD beyond the yield

Read the strategy notes alongside the payout record. Compare the income received with total return and downside over the same dates, then review how each issuer implements its option overlay.

Review NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF (QQQI) payment history and Russell 2000 Covered Call ETF (RYLD) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.

For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.

Related comparisons

More side-by-side comparisons with QQQI and RYLD.

Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.