QDTY vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 505 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricQDTYSPYWinner
Expense Ratio1.17%0.09%
AUM$26M$821.1B
Dividend Yield36.63%1.01%
Holdings5505
YTD Return+12.20%+14.24%
1Y Return+21.54%+21.71%
3Y Return (annualized)-+22.10%
5Y Return (annualized)-+13.21%
Volatility (annualized)20.0%15.3%
Max Drawdown-20.2%-56.5%
Fund FamilyYieldMax ETFState Street Investment Management
CategoryAlternativeEquity
InceptionFeb 12, 2025Jan 22, 1993

QDTY vs SPY Performance

YieldMax Nasdaq 100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTY) is a ETF from YieldMax ETF and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QDTY returned +21.54% while SPY returned +21.71%. Year to date, QDTY is up 12.20% versus a gain of 14.24% for SPY.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

QDTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 15.3% for SPY. 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 -20.2% for QDTY and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.

Fees and Cost Over Time

QDTY charges 1.17% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $117 vs $9 annually, a gap of $108 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QDTY currently yields 36.63% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

0.0%overlap

QDTY and SPY share 0 holdings out of 505 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.0% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, QDTY or SPY?

QDTY has an expense ratio of 1.17% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $108 per year of difference.

Which performed better, QDTY or SPY?

Over the past year QDTY returned +21.54% vs +21.71% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QDTY annualized +24.30% vs +8.86% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, QDTY or SPY?

QDTY has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: QDTY -20.2% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both QDTY and SPY?

QDTY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.

What is the holdings overlap between QDTY and SPY?

QDTY and SPY share 0 common holdings with a 0.0% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 505 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, QDTY or SPY?

QDTY yields 36.63% while SPY yields 1.01%, so QDTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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