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

NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETFSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day

Performance: QQQI vs SCHD

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

QQQISCHD

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

DividendDuel.com
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Higher yieldQQQI14.96% vs 2.96%
Better 1-year total returnSCHD+38.08% vs +8.56%
Lower expense ratioSCHD0.06% vs 0.68%

QQQI vs SCHD at a glance

This page compares NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF (QQQI) with Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) using prices and distributions through November 9, 2026. The numbers update automatically after each trading session.

With dividends reinvested, SCHD has led over the last 12 months at +38.08% versus +8.56% for QQQI. QQQI currently yields 14.96% (trailing 12-month) against 2.96% for SCHD.

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 SCHD
MetricQQQISCHD
Last close$51.02$35.65
Dividend yield14.96% (TTM)2.96% (TTM)
Expense ratio0.68%0.06%
Paysmonthlyquarterly
Dividends, last 12 months$7.63 (12 payments)$1.05 (4 payments)
IssuerNEOS InvestmentsSchwab
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
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF
2.96%
Best+38.08%$35.65$0.2665QuarterlySchwab

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%—
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF+7.90%+6.00%+14.55%+38.08%+31.74%+62.57%

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
SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF$0.2665Sep 23, 2026+5.54%$1.05414 payoutsDec 6, 2023: $0.2474Mar 20, 2024: $0.2037Jun 26, 2024: $0.2747Sep 25, 2024: $0.2515Dec 11, 2024: $0.2645Mar 26, 2025: $0.2488Jun 25, 2025: $0.2602Sep 24, 2025: $0.2604Dec 10, 2025: $0.2782Mar 25, 2026: $0.2569Jun 24, 2026: $0.2525Sep 23, 2026: $0.2665

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 -16.13% for SCHD. 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.

SCHD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.2525 to $0.2782 per share across 4 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.

SCHD: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF

Tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, which selects dividend-paying U.S. companies using dividend and fundamental-strength criteria.

An equity dividend strategy still carries stock-market risk. Distributions and share prices can fall; its sector mix can differ from a broad-market index.

Source: Schwab SCHD fund page. 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.

QQQISCHD
Oct 21, 2026$0.6343Sep 23, 2026$0.2665
Sep 16, 2026$0.6339Jun 24, 2026$0.2525
Aug 19, 2026$0.6518Mar 25, 2026$0.2569
Jul 22, 2026$0.6346Dec 10, 2025$0.2782
Jun 16, 2026$0.6572Sep 24, 2025$0.2604
May 20, 2026$0.6589Jun 25, 2025$0.2602
Apr 22, 2026$0.6297Mar 26, 2025$0.2488
Mar 18, 2026$0.6089Dec 11, 2024$0.2645
Feb 18, 2026$0.614Sep 25, 2024$0.2515
Jan 21, 2026$0.6359Jun 26, 2024$0.2747
Dec 24, 2025$0.6413Mar 20, 2024$0.2037
Nov 26, 2025$0.6304Dec 6, 2023$0.2474

QQQI vs SCHD: common questions

Which pays a higher dividend, QQQI or SCHD?

As of November 9, 2026, QQQI yields 14.96% (trailing 12-month) and SCHD yields 2.96% (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 SCHD?

Over the past year with dividends reinvested, QQQI returned +8.56% and SCHD returned +38.08%. Past performance does not predict future results.

What would $10,000 in QQQI vs SCHD 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 $13,808 in SCHD.

Which is cheaper to own, QQQI or SCHD?

SCHD has the lower expense ratio at 0.06% a year, compared with 0.68% for QQQI. On $10,000 that is roughly $6 vs $68 a year.

How often do QQQI and SCHD pay dividends?

QQQI pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and SCHD pays quarterly (4 payments).

Is QQQI or SCHD 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 SCHD beyond the yield

Use the same dates to compare an income strategy with its index alternative. Look at both reinvested total return and price return before using either fund's payout rate in an income scenario.

Review NEOS Nasdaq-100® High Income ETF (QQQI) payment history and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) 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 SCHD.

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.