QLDY vs SPY
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, QLDY or SPY?
Option Writing against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | QLDY | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.04% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $50M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 41.67% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 15 | 505 |
| YTD Return | +12.16%Best | +11.52% |
| 1Y Return | +14.88% | +17.48%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +20.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.73% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.6% | 13.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2025 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
QLDY vs SPY 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.
QLDY vs SPY Performance
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QLDY returned +14.88% while SPY returned +17.48%. Year to date, QLDY is up 12.16% versus a gain of 11.52% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLDY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.6% compared with 13.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
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
QLDY charges 1.04% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $104 vs $9 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLDY currently yields 41.67% against 0.98% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in QLDY and 504 in SPY, totalling 5.5% and 100.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in QLDY and 504 in SPY, against full books of 15 and 505.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLDY and SPY 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, QLDY or SPY?
QLDY has an expense ratio of 1.04% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLDY or SPY?
Over the past year QLDY returned +14.88% vs +17.48% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLDY or SPY?
QLDY has been the more volatile fund at 26.6% annualized versus 13.3% for SPY.
Should I hold both QLDY and SPY?
QLDY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLDY or SPY?
QLDY yields 41.67% while SPY yields 0.98%, so QLDY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than QLDY?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.