QLDY vs VYM
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QLDY or VYM?
Option Writing against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.04% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $50M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 41.67% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 15 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.16% | +13.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.88% | +17.82%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.16% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.6% | 9.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Defiance ETFs, LLC | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
QLDY 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.
QLDY vs VYM Performance
Defiance Nasdaq 100 LightningSpread Income ETF (QLDY) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QLDY returned +14.88% while VYM returned +17.82%. Year to date, QLDY is up 12.16% versus a gain of 13.15% for VYM.
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 9.7% for VYM. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLDY charges 1.04% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $104 vs $4 annually, a gap of $100 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLDY currently yields 41.67% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in QLDY and 603 in VYM, totalling 5.5% and 99.5% 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 63 days apart, QLDY as of Sep 1, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 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 2 positions we hold weights for in QLDY and 603 in VYM, against full books of 15 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLDY 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, QLDY or VYM?
QLDY has an expense ratio of 1.04% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $100 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLDY or VYM?
Over the past year QLDY returned +14.88% vs +17.82% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLDY or VYM?
QLDY has been the more volatile fund at 26.6% annualized versus 9.7% for VYM.
Should I hold both QLDY and VYM?
QLDY and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, 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, QLDY or VYM?
QLDY yields 41.67% while VYM yields 2.22%, so QLDY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QLDY?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.