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
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 · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026
DividendDuel.comQYLD vs QQQ at a glance
Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, QYLD returned +14.81% with dividends reinvested, compared with +11.93% for QQQ. QYLD currently yields 12.11% (trailing 12-month) against 0.46% for QQQ. Across five years the total-return gap is +77.04% for QQQ vs +43.30% for QYLD.
QYLD leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.
| Metric | QYLD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $17.68 | $679.35 |
| Dividend yield | 12.11% (TTM) | 0.46% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.61% | 0.20% |
| Pays | monthly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $2.14 (12 payments) | $3.09 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | Global X | Invesco |
| Inception | — | — |
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.
Downside and distribution variability
Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.
Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -24.61% for QYLD and -35.12% for QQQ. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
QYLD's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.1715 to $0.1854 per share across 12 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
QQQ's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.7328 to $0.8135 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.
Recent distributions
The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.
| QYLD | QQQ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2026 | $0.1826 | Sep 21, 2026 | $0.7514 |
| Sep 21, 2026 | $0.1767 | Jun 22, 2026 | $0.8135 |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $0.1829 | Mar 23, 2026 | $0.7328 |
| Jul 20, 2026 | $0.1775 | Dec 22, 2025 | $0.7941 |
| Jun 22, 2026 | $0.1854 | Sep 22, 2025 | $0.694 |
| May 18, 2026 | $0.1785 | Jun 23, 2025 | $0.5911 |
| Apr 20, 2026 | $0.1789 | Mar 24, 2025 | $0.7157 |
| Mar 23, 2026 | $0.1715 | Dec 23, 2024 | $0.8347 |
| Feb 23, 2026 | $0.1771 | Sep 23, 2024 | $0.6769 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | $0.1786 | Jun 24, 2024 | $0.7615 |
| Dec 22, 2025 | $0.1779 | Mar 18, 2024 | $0.5735 |
| Nov 24, 2025 | $0.1728 | Dec 27, 2023 | $0.2158 |
QYLD vs QQQ: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, QYLD or QQQ?
As of November 9, 2026, QYLD yields 12.11% (trailing 12-month) and QQQ yields 0.46% (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 +14.81% and QQQ returned +11.93%. Over five years, QYLD returned +43.30% and QQQ returned +77.04%. 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 November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,481 in QYLD and $11,193 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.
Research QYLD and QQQ 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 Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) payment history and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) 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
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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.