GLDY vs QQQ
Defiance Gold Enhanced Options Income ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GLDY or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | GLDY | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.04% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.17% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 9 | 321 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.9%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.9% | -12.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,456 | $15,088Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 1, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 95 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GLDY has data through Jun 29, 2026 and QQQ through Oct 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2025 to Jun 29, 2026 (1.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 17.9% for GLDY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -25.9% for GLDY and -12.6% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDY charges 1.04% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $104 vs $18 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLDY currently yields 3.17% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 5 holdings in GLDY and 102 in QQQ, totalling 66.5% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 199 days apart, GLDY as of Feb 28, 2026 and QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 5 positions we hold weights for in GLDY and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 9 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDY and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GLDY or QQQ?
GLDY has an expense ratio of 1.04% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, GLDY or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 17.9% for GLDY. Worst drawdown: GLDY -25.9% vs QQQ -12.6%.
Should I hold both GLDY and QQQ?
GLDY and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLDY or QQQ?
GLDY yields 3.17% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so GLDY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GLDY?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.