At a glance
QYLD charges 0.6% a year, above the 0.54% average of the 8 funds most like it (the 4th cheapest of 9). It has $8.09B in assets, the 2nd largest of that group; it paid 11.7% of its price in distributions over the past 12 months, monthly. Over the past year it returned +18.9% with distributions reinvested (S&P 500: +11.5%), the best of those 9 funds; over three years it returned +17.4% a year. At its worst it fell 24.7% in the 2020 crash (S&P 500: 33.7%) and 24.0% in the 2022 bear market (S&P 500: 24.5%), and was back at its earlier high 8 months and 15 months after the lows. Its ten largest positions make up 47.2% of the fund, out of 103 in all.
The short version
Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) holds the stocks of the NASDAQ-100 Index and each month writes call options on that index at its prevailing level, tracking the Cboe NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite V2 Index. The option premiums fund a large monthly payout, with a trailing 12-month yield of 11.7% as of October 27, 2026. In return, it gives up most gains in strong rallies, still absorbs most declines, and charges 0.60% a year.
Price history
The interactive chart needs JavaScript.
QYLD +18.9% over the year to Oct 27, 2026, total return with distributions reinvested.
How it has behaved
| YTD | 1 yr | 3 yr | 5 yr | 10 yr | Since start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QYLD official prospectus, to Dec 31, 2025 | — | +9.31% | — | +7.41% | +8.79% | — |
| QYLD price data to Oct 27, 2026 | +14.9% | +18.9% | +17.4% | +8.5% | +9.9% | +8.9% |
- Over the year to Oct 27, 2026, QYLD returned +18.9%, 1st of 9 among similar funds.
- Its 5-year annualized return was +8.5% and its 10-year +9.9%.
- In the 2020 COVID crash it fell 24.7% and regained its old high 7.7 months after the low.
- Its worst full calendar year was 2022 (-19.1%); its best was 2019 (+22.8%).
- The deepest fall in its price history was 24.7% (Feb 19, 2020 to Mar 16, 2020), recovered by Nov 5, 2020.
Show as a table
| Year | Price data | Prospectus (official) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | +14.9% | — |
| 2025 | +9.4% | +9.31% |
| 2024 | +19.4% | +19.13% |
| 2023 | +22.8% | +22.82% |
| 2022 | -19.1% | -19.00% |
| 2021 | +10.4% | +10.34% |
| 2020 | +8.7% | +8.76% |
| 2019 | +22.8% | +22.99% |
| 2018 | -3.0% | -3.04% |
| 2017 | +18.8% | +19.30% |
| 2016 | +4.7% | +4.98% |
| 2015 | +7.1% | — |
| 2014 | +4.1% | — |
| 2008 financial crisis stocks fell Oct 9, 2007 – Mar 9, 2009 | Before this security existed |
|---|---|
| 2020 COVID crash stocks fell Feb 19, 2020 – Mar 23, 2020 | Lost 23.9% over that stretch · deepest drop along the way 24.7%, back to its old high 7.7 months after the low |
| 2022 bear market stocks fell Jan 3, 2022 – Oct 12, 2022 | Lost 24% over that stretch · deepest drop along the way 24%, back to its old high 15.2 months after the low |
Dividends and income
Show as a table
| Year | Per share | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (to date) | $1.8000 | |
| 2025 | $2.0600 | -9.6% |
| 2024 | $2.2800 | +11.2% |
| 2023 | $2.0500 | -6.0% |
| 2022 | $2.1800 | -23.2% |
| 2021 | $2.8400 | +11.8% |
| 2020 | $2.5400 | +8.1% |
| 2019 | $2.3500 | -11.7% |
| 2018 | $2.6600 | +41.5% |
| 2017 | $1.8800 | -7.8% |
| 2016 | $2.0400 | -6.4% |
| 2015 | $2.1800 | -14.5% |
| 2014 | $2.5500 |
Living on QYLD: its income record, cuts, and how much a $1,000 monthly income takes →
What's inside
As of Jul 31, 2026, the fund held 103 securities; the ten largest made up 47.22% of assets.
| Holding | Weight | |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA CORPORATION | 8.20% | |
| APPLE INC. | 7.65% | |
| MICROSOFT CORPORATION | 5.82% | |
| AMAZON.COM, INC. | 4.93% | |
| MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC. | 4.32% | |
| ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC. | 3.62% | |
| ALPHABET INC. | 3.50% | |
| ALPHABET INC. | 3.28% | |
| BROADCOM INC. | 3.11% | |
| META PLATFORMS, INC. | 2.78% | |
| TESLA, INC. | 2.62% | |
| WALMART INC. | 2.53% | |
| CISCO SYSTEMS, INC. | 2.13% | |
| INTEL CORPORATION | 2.11% | |
| COSTCO WHOLESALE CORPORATION | 1.97% |
By country
United States 101.67%By asset type
Stocks 101.67%By sector
Sectors of the companies held, for the 91.3% of the fund in companies that have a stock page here; other holdings and cash aren't classified. Source: N-PORT holdings report as of Jul 31, 2026. Cash, money-market funds and derivatives are shown separately from the securities list.What changed recently
- Over the three months to Jul 31, 2026, investors withdrew a net $249.7M (creations minus redemptions, per the N-PORT report).
- Monthly total returns reported for that quarter: -2.83%, +2.97%, +1.51%.
How it works
QYLD tracks the Cboe NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite V2 Index. Nasdaq, Inc. sponsors the index and sets its weights. The index holds the stocks in the NASDAQ-100 Index and writes a series of one-month call options on that index. Global X Management Company, the fund's adviser, generally copies the index directly by owning its stocks in about the same proportions. The adviser does not try to beat the index or turn defensive when markets fall.
A call option gives its holder any rise in the index above a set level, called the strike price. Each month the fund writes a call with a strike at or above the index's level and collects a cash payment called a premium. The options settle in cash and can be exercised only at expiration. The fund closes them out the day before, usually the Thursday before the third Friday, at a volume-weighted average price at the close. As of July 31, 2026, the open position was a NASDAQ-100 call expiring August 21, 2026, with a 28,550 strike.
The premiums pay for the monthly distributions and partly cushion declines. If the index ends above the strike, the fund pays out the difference and gives up those gains, so it is expected to lag in fast rallies. The fund is non-diversified, and as of December 31, 2025, its index was concentrated in semiconductor stocks.
What it really costs
- QYLD charges 0.6% a year, versus an average of 0.54% for the similar funds below (4th of 9, cheapest first).
- Using the prospectus's standard example, $10,000 invested would cost about $61 in the first year and $750 over 10 years (assuming a 5% annual return).
| Cost of $10,000 (SEC example) | 1 yr | 3 yrs | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QYLD | $61 | $192 | $335 | $750 |
Structure and tax notes
- Generates much of its income from selling options (directly or through notes). That income is usually taxed as ordinary income rather than as qualified dividends, and the strategy gives up some upside in strong markets.
In a retirement portfolio
QYLD turns NASDAQ-100 option premiums into a large monthly payout, and it gives up most of the index's growth to do so.
QYLD's main draw is cash flow. It pays monthly, and it paid $2.15 a share over the 12 months to October 27, 2026, a trailing yield of 11.7%. Most of that comes from option premiums, which are usually taxed as ordinary income. That can matter outside tax-advantaged accounts. It costs 0.60% a year, which works out to $750 over 10 years in the SEC's standard $10,000 example. The average for similar funds is 0.54%.
The premiums soften losses only a little. QYLD launched in December 2013, so it missed the 2008 crisis. It fell 24.7% in the 2020 COVID crash and recovered in about eight months. In the 2022 bear market it fell 24% and took about 15 months to recover, until January 2024. Its 2022 calendar-year loss was 19.0%. Anyone drawing cash in a stretch like that would be cashing out shares at low prices. Past results don't predict future ones, and a plan should weigh the whole portfolio, not one fund.
Who it may suit — and who should look elsewhere
May suit
- Investors who want monthly cash from large NASDAQ-100 companies. The trailing 12-month yield was 11.7% as of October 27, 2026.
- Investors willing to give up most rally gains for option premium income, at a cost of 0.60% a year.
- Holders using tax-advantaged accounts, since QYLD's option income is usually taxed as ordinary income rather than as qualified dividends.
Look elsewhere if
- Growth-focused investors. Because it writes calls at the index's level every month, the fund is expected to lag the NASDAQ-100 in strong rallies.
- Investors who need real downside protection. QYLD fell 24.7% in early 2020 and 24% in 2022, and it took about 15 months to recover from 2022.
- Investors wary of concentration or cost. Technology was about 53% of holdings, and Global X's QYLG charges 0.35% versus QYLD's 0.60%.
Close alternatives
Matched by holdings overlap from the latest N-PORT reports.
| Fund | Overlap | Cost | Net assets | 1 yr | 3 yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QYLD this fund | — | 0.6% | $8.09B | +18.9% | +17.4% |
| QRMI Global X NASDAQ 100 Risk Managed Income ETF | 101% | 0.6% | $14.3M | +5.1% | +9.2% |
| QYLG Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth E… | 101% | 0.35% | $158.3M | +17.3% | +23.1% |
| QCLR Global X NASDAQ 100 Collar 95-110 ETF | 96% | 0.25% | $3.3M | -0.6% | +15.2% |
| QHDG Innovator Hedged Nasdaq-100 ETF | 94% | 0.79% | $3.0M | +1.1% | — |
| QQQI NEOS Nasdaq 100 High Income ETF | 93% | 0.68% | $13.11B | +5.8% | — |
| QQQH NEOS Nasdaq 100 Hedged Equity Income ETF | 93% | 0.68% | $389.0M | +7.4% | — |
| SEPQ STF Tactical Growth & Income ETF | 91% | 0.65% | $80.1M | +14.2% | +24.1% |
Questions investors ask
Does QYLD pay monthly dividends?
Yes. QYLD pays distributions every month. Over the 12 months to October 27, 2026, it paid $2.15 a share, a trailing yield of 11.7%. Most of that cash comes from premiums the fund collects for writing call options, not from company dividends. As a result, it is usually taxed as ordinary income rather than as qualified dividends. Payments can change from month to month because option premiums rise and fall with market conditions.
Is QYLD good for retirement income?
QYLD can provide high monthly income, but it comes with trade-offs. Its trailing yield was 11.7% as of October 27, 2026. Its prospectus shows an average annual return of 8.79% over 10 years as of December 31, 2025, held back because it gives up most gains in rallies. It still lost 19.0% in 2022 and needed about 15 months after the October 2022 low to recover. It may suit investors who value cash flow over growth.
What's the difference between QYLD and QYLG?
Both are Global X funds built on NASDAQ-100 stocks and options. QYLG, the Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call & Growth ETF, costs 0.35% a year versus QYLD's 0.60%. As its name suggests, QYLG pairs covered calls with growth. QYLD tracks the Cboe NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite V2 Index. Over one year to October 27, 2026, QYLD returned 18.9% and QYLG 17.3%. Over three years, QYLG led with 23.1% a year versus 17.4%.
Why does QYLD lag the Nasdaq 100 when stocks rally?
QYLD lags in rallies because it gives up most of the gains. Each month it writes a one-month call option on the NASDAQ-100 Index with a strike price at or above the index's level. If the index ends above that strike, the fund pays the difference to the option holder and keeps only the premium. Its prospectus says it is expected to underperform the NASDAQ-100 when markets rise quickly, while premiums only partly cushion declines.
What stocks are in QYLD?
QYLD holds the stocks of the NASDAQ-100 Index, 103 holdings as of July 31, 2026. The largest were NVIDIA (8.2%), Apple (7.7%), Microsoft (5.8%), Amazon (4.9%) and Micron Technology (4.3%). The top 10 made up about 47% of assets, and technology was about 53% of the portfolio. As of December 31, 2025, its index was concentrated in semiconductor stocks, so results depend heavily on a handful of large tech companies.