SmarterDividends

QQQI vs XYLD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 9, 2026, QQQI yields more: 15.42% (dividend yield) against 10.55% for XYLD. XYLD is cheaper to own at 0.60% a year vs 0.68%. Over the same 2 years (Jan 2024 to Oct 2026), QQQI returned 17.4% a year with distributions reinvested, and XYLD 13.0%.

ComparedQQQIXYLD
YieldDividend yield15.42%10.55%
Expense ratio0.68%0.60%
Total return, 1 yr+7.1%+14.5%
Total return, 3 yr (a year)—+14.2%
Total return, 5 yr (a year)—+7.2%
Total return, 10 yr (a year)—+8.6%
Worst drop since Jan 2024-8.2%-7.0%
Share price since Jan 2024+5%+3%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerNeosGlobal X
Assets$14.8B$3.4B
Started20242013
TypeDerivative IncomeDerivative Income

Higher yield

QQQI

15.42%

Lower cost

XYLD

0.60%

Better total return

QQQI

17.4%/yr

Smaller worst drop

XYLD

-7.0%

Key facts: QQQI vs XYLD

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 9, 2026, QQQI yields 15.42% (dividend yield) and XYLD yields 10.55% (dividend yield).
  • QQQI's expense ratio is 0.68% and XYLD's is 0.60%: $68 vs $60 a year on $10,000.
  • From Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QQQI grew to $15,556 (17.4% a year) and $10,000 in XYLD to $13,984 (13.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
  • Their worst month-end drops over that time: -8.2% for QQQI and -7.0% for XYLD.
  • 7 of QQQI's top ten holdings are also in XYLD's top ten, an overlap of at least 31% of the fund.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "QQQI vs XYLD: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 9, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qqqi-vs-xyld

$10,000 in each, Jan 2024 to Oct 2026

Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.

QQQI became

$15,556

17.4% a year

XYLD became

$13,984

13.0% a year

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Top holdings

7 of the top ten overlap, at least 31% of each fund.

QQQI

  1. AAPL Apple Inc8.1%
  2. NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.0%
  3. MSFT Microsoft Corp6.3%
  4. MU Micron Technology Inc4.5%
  5. AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.2%
  6. AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.7%
  7. TSLA Tesla Inc3.4%
  8. META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.0%
  9. WMT Walmart Inc2.7%
  10. GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.6%

XYLD

  1. AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
  2. NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
  3. MSFT Microsoft Corp6.0%
  4. AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
  5. GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
  6. AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
  7. META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.1%
  8. GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
  9. LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
  10. TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%

QQQI vs XYLD: questions

Is QQQI or XYLD better?

It depends on the job. QQQI pays more today (15.42% vs 10.55%), XYLD costs less, and QQQI has the better total return over Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, with XYLD 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, QQQI or XYLD?

QQQI, at 15.42% against 10.55% for XYLD as of Nov 9, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,542 vs $1,055 a year at today's rates.

Which has the better total return?

QQQI. From Jan 2024 to Oct 2026, it returned 17.4% a year with distributions reinvested, against 13.0% for XYLD. $10,000 became $15,556 vs $13,984.

Which is cheaper, QQQI or XYLD?

XYLD, with a 0.60% expense ratio against 0.68%.

Do QQQI and XYLD hold the same things?

Partly. 7 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 31% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.

Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. XYLD leads on 3 of 5 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 9, 2026.