QYLD vs QQQ: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETFInvesco QQQ Trust ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
QYLD vs QQQ at a glance
Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) are compared below using data through the September 25, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, QQQ returned +26.02% with dividends reinvested, compared with +24.05% for QYLD. QYLD currently yields 11.50% (trailing 12-month) against 0.42% for QQQ. Across five years the total-return gap is +105.44% for QQQ vs +51.18% for QYLD.
The higher-yielding fund (QYLD) 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.
| Metric | QYLD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $18.55 | $744.50 |
| Dividend yield | 11.50% (TTM) | 0.42% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.61% | 0.20% |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $2.13 (12 payments) | $3.09 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Global X | Invesco |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2013 | Mar 11, 1999 |
Performance: QYLD vs QQQ
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Sep 25, 2025 – Sep 25, 2026
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Recent dividend payments
The latest 12 distributions per share for each fund, newest first.
| QYLD | QQQ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.177 | Sep 21, 2026 | $0.751 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $0.183 | Jun 22, 2026 | $0.813 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $0.178 | Mar 23, 2026 | $0.733 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $0.185 | Dec 22, 2025 | $0.794 |
| May 18, 2026 | $0.179 | Sep 22, 2025 | $0.694 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $0.179 | Jun 23, 2025 | $0.591 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $0.172 | Mar 24, 2025 | $0.716 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $0.177 | Dec 23, 2024 | $0.835 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | $0.179 | Sep 23, 2024 | $0.677 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $0.178 | Jun 24, 2024 | $0.762 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $0.173 | Mar 18, 2024 | $0.573 |
| Oct 20, 2025 | $0.173 | Dec 27, 2023 | $0.216 |
QYLD vs QQQ: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, QYLD or QQQ?
As of September 25, 2026, QYLD yields 11.50% (trailing 12-month) and QQQ yields 0.42% (trailing 12-month), so QYLD currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, QYLD or QQQ?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, QYLD returned +24.05% and QQQ returned +26.02%. Over five years, QYLD returned +51.18% and QQQ returned +105.44%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in QYLD vs QQQ be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before September 25, 2026 would have grown to about $12,405 in QYLD and $12,602 in QQQ.
Which is cheaper to own, QYLD or QQQ?
QQQ has the lower expense ratio at 0.20% a year, compared with 0.61% for QYLD. On $10,000 that is roughly $20 vs $61 a year.
How often do QYLD and QQQ pay dividends?
QYLD pays monthly (12 payments in the last 12 months) and QQQ pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is QYLD or QQQ 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.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with QYLD and QQQ.
Figures come from end-of-day prices and distributions and are recalculated after every trading session; see our methodology. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.