QLD vs VYM
ProShares Ultra QQQ vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QLD or VYM?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QLD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | QLD | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $13.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.13% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 127 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +25.79%Best | +13.08% |
| 1Y Return | +32.30%Best | +17.46% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.80%Best | +17.73% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.30%Best | +12.22% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.2% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -84.0% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,207Best | $17,797 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.8 years).
QLD vs VYM growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QLD vs VYM Performance
ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) is an ETF from ProShares and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLD returned +32.30% while VYM returned +17.46%. Year to date, QLD is up 25.79% versus a gain of 13.08% for VYM.
Over three years, QLD compounded at +40.80% per year against +17.73% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +17.30% and +12.22% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QLD has the edge at +23.14% annualized vs +6.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.2% compared with 14.5% for VYM. 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 -84.0% for QLD and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLD charges 0.95% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $4 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLD currently yields 0.13% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 19.6% of VYM's money is in holdings QLD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for QLD, our book for it covers 78.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
VYM and QLD share little of their money.
28 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in QLD and 557 in VYM, against full books of 127 and 613.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLD | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.92% | 7.35% | 5.43% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.31% | 1.86% | 0.55% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.72% | 1.02% | 0.30% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.68% | 0.90% | 0.22% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.70% | 0.78% | 0.08% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.58% | 0.77% | 0.19% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.53% | 0.73% | 0.20% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 0.55% | 0.66% | 0.11% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.54% | 0.63% | 0.09% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 0.59% | 0.34% | 0.25% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLD and VYM 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, QLD or VYM?
QLD has an expense ratio of 0.95% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLD or VYM?
Over the past year QLD returned +32.30% vs +17.46% for VYM, so QLD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QLD annualized +23.14% vs +6.91% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLD or VYM?
QLD has been the more volatile fund at 38.2% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: QLD -84.0% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both QLD and VYM?
QLD and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QLD and VYM?
At least 19.6% of VYM's money is in holdings QLD also owns. Our book for QLD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in QLD and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLD or VYM?
QLD yields 0.13% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QLD?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QLD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.