IQQQ vs QQQY: Income Fund Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF - US (IQQQ) and Defiance Nasdaq 100 Weekly Distribution ETF - US (QQQY) are both income-focused funds. Below is our independent side-by-side review using the Dependable Income Investing 13-factor scoring system — designed specifically for income investors seeking reliable, sustainable distributions.

IQQQ: Expense ratio is 0.55 percent as of July 2025 which is moderate for an options ETF. QQQY: Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026 IQQQ the fund launched March 18 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history. QQQY fund inception 09/13/23 Full Dependability and Return scores for both funds are available in the app.

IQQQ QQQY
Fund Name ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF - US Defiance Nasdaq 100 Weekly Distribution ETF - US
Fund Type Index Based Fund Index Based Fund
Exchange NYSE/NASDAQ NYSE/NASDAQ
Last Reviewed 2025-07-10 2026-03-02
Author , Income Investing Analyst
IQQQ
QQQY
Overall Score
Dependability

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Fund Attributes: IQQQ vs QQQY 20% of overall score

Fund Attributes cover the foundational characteristics of each fund: cost, company backing, track record, and size. These factors reflect stability and cost-efficiency for long-term income investors.

Criterion
IQQQ
QQQY
Expense Ratio
3/5

Expense ratio is 0.55 percent as of July 2025 which is moderate for an options ETF.

1/5

Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026

Fund Company Size
5/5

The total assets managed by ProShares are $80 Billion.

4/5

Defiance AUM passed $8B as of 26 January 2026

Fund History
2/5

The fund launched March 18 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history.

3/5

Fund inception 09/13/23

Fund AUM
2/5

The net assets of the fund are about $200 Million.

1/5

Net assets $178.60M as of 02/27/2026

Risk: IQQQ vs QQQY 35% of overall score

Risk factors evaluate how each fund manages volatility, diversification, and the nature of its underlying assets — critical considerations for income investors who prioritise capital preservation.

Criterion
IQQQ
QQQY
Volatility
3/5

Volatility similar to the market.

1/5

Beta -0.0727 vs SPY - weekly - 2023-09-22 to 2026-03-02 - standalone volatility ~113.56% annualized (weekly returns) - extremely high price choppiness

Lower volatility may indicate more stability — important for investors living off their income.
Sector Diversification
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Holding across more sectors reduces the impact of any single industry downturn.
Geographic Diversification
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Exposure across geographies can reduce risk from any single country's economic conditions.
Fund Risk
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The fund's overall risk profile, based on self-reported classifications where available.
Underlying Assets
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What the fund actually holds — stocks, bonds, synthetics, or other funds — affects risk profile significantly.

See the full Risk analysis for both IQQQ and QQQY — volatility ratings, diversification scores, and analyst notes.

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Return: IQQQ vs QQQY 45% of overall score

Return factors assess income generation quality: current yield, distribution consistency, price history, and payment frequency. This is the most heavily weighted category for income investors.

Criterion
IQQQ
QQQY
Yield
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The current dividend yield, reflecting the annual income generated relative to fund price.
Yield Stability
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How consistent the distribution amounts have been over time — critical for income investors who budget around payments.
Capital History
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The fund's track record of price appreciation or depreciation, reflecting total return alongside income.
Distribution Frequency
4/5

The fund pays distributions monthly.

5/5

Distribution frequency weekly - payable as of 02/27/2026

How often the fund pays distributions — monthly payments are generally preferred by income investors.

See the full Return analysis for both IQQQ and QQQY — yield ratings, distribution consistency scores, and capital history.

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Our Review Methodology

Every fund reviewed on Dependable Income Investing is scored using our 13-factor Fund Report Card, organised into three weighted categories: Fund Attributes (20%), Risk (35%), and Return (45%). Each criterion is rated 1–5 by our analysts based on publicly available fund data.

We also calculate a Dependability Score — a weighted composite of six income-specific factors ranked by importance for retirement income investors: Yield Stability, Yield, Volatility, Capital History, Fund Risk, and Underlying Assets. This score answers the question income investors care about most: can I depend on this fund to pay me reliably?

Full scores, ratings, and analyst notes for both IQQQ and QQQY are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.

See our full scoring methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: IQQQ vs QQQY

Which has a lower expense ratio, IQQQ or QQQY?

IQQQ: Expense ratio is 0.55 percent as of July 2025 which is moderate for an options ETF.
QQQY: Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026

Which fund has more assets under management, IQQQ or QQQY?

IQQQ: The net assets of the fund are about $200 Million.
QQQY: Net assets $178.60M as of 02/27/2026

Which fund has been trading longer, IQQQ or QQQY?

IQQQ: The fund launched March 18 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history.
QQQY: Fund inception 09/13/23

Who manages IQQQ vs QQQY?

IQQQ: The total assets managed by ProShares are $80 Billion.
QQQY: Defiance AUM passed $8B as of 26 January 2026

Where can I see the full IQQQ vs QQQY comparison with scores?

The complete side-by-side comparison — including all Risk and Return scores, analyst notes, Overall Score, and Dependability Score for both funds — is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.

What is the difference between IQQQ and QQQY?

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF - US is a Index Based Fund. Expense ratio is 0.55 percent as of July 2025 which is moderate for an options ETF. Defiance Nasdaq 100 Weekly Distribution ETF - US is a Index Based Fund. Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026. Full comparison including Dependability Score is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.

Which is better for income investors, IQQQ or QQQY?

IQQQ: Expense ratio is 0.55 percent as of July 2025 which is moderate for an options ETF. The fund launched March 18 2024 so it has less than two years of operating history. QQQY: Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026. Fund inception 09/13/23. Which scores higher on Dependability and Return is available in the Dependable Income Investing app.

Do IQQQ and QQQY pay monthly distributions?

IQQQ: The fund pays distributions monthly. QQQY: Distribution frequency weekly - payable as of 02/27/2026. Full yield and distribution stability scores for both funds are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.

See the Full IQQQ vs QQQY Comparison

The Dependable Income Investing app gives you the complete picture: all 13 scoring factors for both funds, Risk and Return analyst notes, Dependability Scores, and tools to compare any income fund side by side.

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