JEPQ vs QQQ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, JEPQ yields more: 11.71% (dividend yield) against 0.47% for QQQ. QQQ is cheaper to own at 0.18% a year vs 0.35%. Over the same 4 years (May 2022 to Oct 2026), QQQ returned 20.8% a year with distributions reinvested, and JEPQ 15.9%.
| Compared | JEPQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 11.71% | 0.47% |
| Expense ratio | 0.35% | 0.18% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +9.5% | +10.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +20.0% | +26.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | — | +13.0% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | — | +20.3% |
| Worst drop since May 2022 | -13.5% | -15.2% |
| Share price since May 2022 | +17% | +124% |
| Pays | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | JPMorgan | Invesco |
| Assets | $42.5B | $463.8B |
| Started | 2022 | 1999 |
| Type | Derivative Income | Large Growth |
Higher yield
JEPQ
11.71%
Lower cost
QQQ
0.18%
Better total return
QQQ
20.8%/yr
Smaller worst drop
JEPQ
-13.5%
Key facts: JEPQ vs QQQ
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, JEPQ yields 11.71% (dividend yield) and QQQ yields 0.47% (dividend yield).
- JEPQ's expense ratio is 0.35% and QQQ's is 0.18%: $35 vs $18 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2022 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in JEPQ grew to $19,205 (15.9% a year) and $10,000 in QQQ to $23,021 (20.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -13.5% for JEPQ and -15.2% for QQQ.
- 9 of JEPQ's top ten holdings are also in QQQ's top ten, an overlap of at least 38% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "JEPQ vs QQQ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/jepq-vs-qqq
$10,000 in each, May 2022 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
JEPQ became
$19,205
15.9% a year
QQQ became
$23,021
20.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | JEPQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +15.2% | +20.8% |
| 2024 | +24.8% | +25.6% |
| 2023 | +36.3% | +54.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 38% of each fund.
JEPQ
- AAPL Apple Inc7.0%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.0%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.6%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.3%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C4.1%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.8%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc2.4%
- WMT Walmart Inc2.0%
QQQ
- AAPL Apple Inc8.2%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.0%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.3%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.5%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.2%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc3.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.0%
- WMT Walmart Inc2.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.7%
JEPQ vs QQQ: questions
Is JEPQ or QQQ better?
It depends on the job. JEPQ pays more today (11.71% vs 0.47%), QQQ costs less, and QQQ has the better total return over May 2022 to Oct 2026, with JEPQ holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, JEPQ or QQQ?
JEPQ, at 11.71% against 0.47% for QQQ as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,171 vs $47 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
QQQ. From May 2022 to Oct 2026, it returned 20.8% a year with distributions reinvested, against 15.9% for JEPQ. $10,000 became $23,021 vs $19,205.
Which is cheaper, JEPQ or QQQ?
QQQ, with a 0.18% expense ratio against 0.35%.
Do JEPQ and QQQ hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, MU), at least 38% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. QQQ leads on 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
