Dividend comparison
QYLD vs XYLD: Which Is Better for Income?
Side-by-side yield, projected income, and dividend fundamentals for Global X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF and Global X - S&P 500 Covered Call ETF. Updated September 8, 2026.
| Metric | QYLD Global X - Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF | XYLD Global X - S&P 500 Covered Call ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 11.57% | 10.39% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $2.12 | $4.33 |
| Price | $18.36 | $41.66 |
| Payout ratio (TTM) | — | — |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 1 year |
| Beta | 0.48 | 0.41 |
| Market cap | $8.67B | $3.24B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.60% | 0.60% |
| Assets under management | $8.33B | $3.35B |
| Number of holdings | 103 | 505 |
| Top 10 concentration | 47.4% | 38.3% |
QYLD
$96.43/mo
$1157 /yr at 11.57% yield
XYLD
$86.59/mo
$1039 /yr at 10.39% yield
Payouts are variable rather than contractual, are often taxed as ordinary income, and a fund that pays out more than the strategy earns will see its net asset value drift down over time.
What QYLD vs XYLD actually do
It follows the Cboe Nasdaq-100 BuyWrite V2 Index: hold the constituents, then write a one-month index call struck at roughly the current level. Writing at the money collects the maximum premium but leaves almost no room to participate when the index rises, so in an up year the fund keeps the premium and forfeits the move. Global X's stated guideline caps the monthly distribution at the lower of half the premiums received or 1% of net asset value, with the excess reinvested.
Suits an investor whose priority is the largest, steadiest monthly payment available from Nasdaq exposure and who does not need the principal to grow. It is a poor long-horizon holding: surrendering nearly all upside on a high-growth index while paying out the premium has historically left the share price grinding lower over full cycles.
Maximum current income, capped upside
It tracks the Cboe S&P 500 BuyWrite Index, holding S&P 500 stocks and writing one-month calls at roughly the current index level. The mechanics match its Nasdaq sibling, but S&P 500 implied volatility is lower, so the premium collected and the resulting distribution are smaller. The same distribution guideline applies, capped at the lower of half the premiums received or 1% of net asset value.
Suits someone who wants the buy-write structure applied to a broader, less concentrated index than the Nasdaq-100. Not appropriate for an account that still needs capital growth, since full at-the-money overwriting caps the market return that funds it.
High current income, capped upside
| Period | QYLD | XYLD |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 1.55% | 0.41% |
| 3 months | 1.27% | 2.11% |
| Year to date | 3.90% | 2.54% |
| 1 year | 12.78% | 9.55% |
| 3 years | 38.46% | 32.72% |
| 5 years | 34.90% | 33.83% |
- QYLD
- XYLD
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-09-04 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- QYLD
- XYLD
QYLD103 holdings total
Quick verdict
QYLD currently posts the higher TTM yield (11.57%). QYLD yields 11.57%; XYLD yields 10.39%. Choose based on whether you prioritize current cash flow, dividend growth, or total return — then model the holding inside your real portfolio.
Frequently asked questions
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.