QQQ vs SLTY

QQQ vs SLTY

Which is better, QQQ or SLTY?

Opposite sides of the same exposure.

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.64, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.

Lower Fees: QQQHigher Returns: QQQ

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

MetricQQQSLTY
Expense Ratio0.18%Best1.25%
AUM$483.5B$17M
Dividend Yield0.44%102.18%
Holdings107103
YTD Return+21.18%Best-5.91%
1Y Return+24.36%Best-9.93%
3Y Return (annualized)+27.99%-
5Y Return (annualized)+15.39%-
Volatility (annualized)21.2%15.4%Best
Max Drawdown-12.0%Best-20.9%
$10,000 over 1.1 years$13,258Best$8,056
Fund FamilyInvesco (US)YieldMax ETF
CategoryEquityAlternative
StyleLarge Cap GrowthOption Writing
InceptionMar 10, 1999Aug 20, 2025

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026 (1.1 years).

QQQ vs SLTY 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 covers the 1.1 years both funds cover.

QQQ vs SLTY Performance

Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and YieldMax Ultra Short Option Income Strategy ETF (SLTY) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year QQQ returned +24.36% while SLTY returned -9.93%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.18% versus a loss of 5.91% for SLTY.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 15.4% for SLTY. 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 -12.0% for QQQ and -20.9% for SLTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.64. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.

Fees and Cost Over Time

QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SLTY charges 1.25%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $125 annually, a gap of $107 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 102.18% for SLTY.

Holdings Overlap

QQQ already in SLTY4.1%

At least 4.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings SLTY also owns.

Stated as a floor: for SLTY, our book for it covers 39.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

They hold the same names on opposite sides, so owning both offsets the exposure rather than doubling it.

4 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 29 in SLTY, against full books of 107 and 103.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in QQQWeight in SLTYDifference
TSLATesla Inc2.56%-3.01%5.57%
RKLBRocket Lab Corp0.19%-1.98%2.17%
TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#5855580.82%-2.64%3.46%
SBUXStarbucks Corp0.53%-5.09%5.62%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of QQQ and SLTY you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

QQQSLTY

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, QQQ or SLTY?

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SLTY charges 1.25%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $107 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, QQQ or SLTY?

Over the past year QQQ returned +24.36% vs -9.93% for SLTY, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QQQ annualized +29.22% vs -17.84% for SLTY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, QQQ or SLTY?

QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 15.4% for SLTY. Worst drawdown: QQQ -12.0% vs SLTY -20.9%.

Should I hold both QQQ and SLTY?

QQQ and SLTY have a monthly-return correlation of -0.64, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.

What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and SLTY?

At least 4.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings SLTY also owns. Our book for SLTY is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 29 in SLTY.

Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SLTY?

QQQ yields 0.44% while SLTY yields 102.18%, so SLTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is SLTY better than QQQ?

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.64, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.