QQQX vs VYM
Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QQQX or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QQQX led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%.
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 | QQQX | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.92% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $173M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.75% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 284 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +13.95%Best | +11.35% |
| 1Y Return | +22.02%Best | +15.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.18%Best | +17.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.53% | +12.30%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.4% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,764 | $17,861Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.2% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 26, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.6 years).
QQQX 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 covers the 19.6 years both funds cover.
QQQX vs VYM Performance
Nuveen NASDAQ 100 Dynamic Overwrite Fund (QQQX) is an ETF from Nuveen and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQX returned +22.02% while VYM returned +15.34%. Year to date, QQQX is up 13.95% versus a gain of 11.35% for VYM.
Over three years, QQQX compounded at +20.18% per year against +17.22% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +9.53% and +12.30% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.78% annualized vs +4.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 14.6% 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 -63.4% for QQQX 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQX charges 0.92% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $92 vs $4 annually, a gap of $88 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQX currently yields 7.75% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
19.5% of QQQX's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.9% of VYM's money is in holdings QQQX also owns.
VYM and QQQX share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 182 days apart, QQQX as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
58 positions in common, counted across the 261 positions we hold weights for in QQQX and 557 in VYM, against full books of 284 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 470 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for QQQX (68.1% of the fund), and 176 for QQQX that do not appear in VYM (75.0%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQX | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.31% | 7.35% | 3.04% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.57% | 1.86% | 0.71% |
| XOMExxon Mobil Corp. | 0.07% | 2.63% | 2.56% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 1.92% | 0.73% | 1.19% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson - Common | 0.06% | 2.51% | 2.45% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 1.62% | 0.66% | 0.96% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 1.49% | 0.78% | 0.71% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 1.41% | 0.63% | 0.78% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.40% | 1.50% | 1.10% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 1.02% | 0.34% | 0.68% |
28.9% of VYM is already inside QQQX.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQX or VYM?
QQQX has an expense ratio of 0.92% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $88 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQX or VYM?
Over the past year QQQX returned +22.02% vs +15.34% for VYM, so QQQX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQQX annualized +4.47% vs +6.78% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQX or VYM?
QQQX has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: QQQX -63.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both QQQX and VYM?
QQQX and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 QQQX and VYM?
28.9% of VYM's money is in holdings QQQX also owns. 28.9% of VYM's is in holdings QQQX also owns. They hold 58 positions in common, counted across the 261 positions we hold weights for in QQQX and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQX or VYM?
QQQX yields 7.75% while VYM yields 2.22%, so QQQX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QQQX?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QQQX led over 1Y and 3Y, VYM over 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.