QYLD vs XYLG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, XYLG yields more: 12.87% (dividend yield) against 12.48% for QYLD. XYLG is cheaper to own at 0.35% a year vs 0.60%. Over the same 6 years (Sep 2020 to Oct 2026), XYLG returned 12.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and QYLD 9.6%.
QYLDGlobal X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF12.48%dividend yield| Compared | QYLD | XYLG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 12.48% | 12.87% |
| Expense ratio | 0.60% | 0.35% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +15.7% | +13.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +15.8% | +18.8% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +7.8% | +9.6% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +9.7% | — |
| Worst drop since Sep 2020 | -22.8% | -21.0% |
| Share price since Sep 2020 | −17% | +14% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Global X | Global X |
| Assets | $8.2B | $72.7M |
| Started | 2013 | 2020 |
| Type | Derivative Income | Derivative Income |
Higher yield
XYLG
12.87%
Lower cost
XYLG
0.35%
Better total return
XYLG
12.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
XYLG
-21.0%
Key facts: QYLD vs XYLG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, QYLD yields 12.48% (dividend yield) and XYLG yields 12.87% (dividend yield).
- QYLD's expense ratio is 0.60% and XYLG's is 0.35%: $60 vs $35 a year on $10,000.
- From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QYLD grew to $17,454 (9.6% a year) and $10,000 in XYLG to $20,724 (12.7% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -22.8% for QYLD and -21.0% for XYLG.
- 7 of QYLD's top ten holdings are also in XYLG's top ten, an overlap of at least 31% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QYLD vs XYLG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qyld-vs-xylg
$10,000 in each, Sep 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QYLD became
$17,454
9.6% a year
XYLG became
$20,724
12.7% a year
Year by year
| Year | QYLD | XYLG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +9.3% | +13.0% |
| 2024 | +19.3% | +22.3% |
| 2023 | +22.7% | +18.1% |
| 2022 | −19.0% | −15.5% |
| 2021 | +10.4% | +23.9% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
7 of the top ten overlap, at least 31% of each fund.
QYLD
- AAPL Apple Inc8.2%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.1%
- 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%
XYLG
- AAPL Apple Inc7.7%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.0%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.6%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.5%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.1%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.0%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co1.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.7%
QYLD vs XYLG: questions
Is QYLD or XYLG better?
It depends on the job. XYLG pays more today (12.87% vs 12.48%), XYLG costs less, and XYLG has the better total return over Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, with XYLG 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, QYLD or XYLG?
XYLG, at 12.87% against 12.48% for QYLD as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $1,287 vs $1,248 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
XYLG. From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 12.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 9.6% for QYLD. $10,000 became $20,724 vs $17,454.
Which is cheaper, QYLD or XYLG?
XYLG, with a 0.35% expense ratio against 0.60%.
Do QYLD and XYLG 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.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. XYLG leads on 6 of 7 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.