QDTE vs QQQY: Income Fund Comparison

Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF (QDTE) 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.

QDTE: QDTE's MER of 0.95% is notably higher than the average for similar ETFs. QQQY: Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026 QDTE the fund launched March 7 2024. QQQY fund inception 09/13/23 Full Dependability and Return scores for both funds are available in the app.

QDTE QQQY
Fund Name Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF 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
QDTE
QQQY
Overall Score
Dependability

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Fund Attributes: QDTE 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
QDTE
QQQY
Expense Ratio
2/5

QDTE's MER of 0.95% is notably higher than the average for similar ETFs.

1/5

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

Fund Company Size
3/5

As of June 2025 - Roundhill announced that it had surpassed the $5 billion AUM milestone.

4/5

Defiance AUM passed $8B as of 26 January 2026

Fund History
2/5

The fund launched March 7 2024.

3/5

Fund inception 09/13/23

Fund AUM
4/5

Approximately $800 Million in the fund.

1/5

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

Risk: QDTE 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
QDTE
QQQY
Volatility
3/5

Volatility beta is 1.12 which is more volatile than SPY.

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 QDTE and QQQY — volatility ratings, diversification scores, and analyst notes.

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Return: QDTE 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
QDTE
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
5/5

Pays weekly distributions.

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 QDTE 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 QDTE and QQQY are available in the Dependable Income Investing app.

See our full scoring methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: QDTE vs QQQY

Which has a lower expense ratio, QDTE or QQQY?

QDTE: QDTE's MER of 0.95% is notably higher than the average for similar ETFs.
QQQY: Expense ratio 1.01% - data as of 02/27/2026

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

QDTE: Approximately $800 Million in the fund.
QQQY: Net assets $178.60M as of 02/27/2026

Which fund has been trading longer, QDTE or QQQY?

QDTE: The fund launched March 7 2024.
QQQY: Fund inception 09/13/23

Who manages QDTE vs QQQY?

QDTE: As of June 2025 - Roundhill announced that it had surpassed the $5 billion AUM milestone.
QQQY: Defiance AUM passed $8B as of 26 January 2026

Where can I see the full QDTE 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 QDTE and QQQY?

Innovation-100 0DTE Covered Call Strategy ETF is a Index Based Fund. QDTE's MER of 0.95% is notably higher than the average for similar ETFs. 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, QDTE or QQQY?

QDTE: QDTE's MER of 0.95% is notably higher than the average for similar ETFs. The fund launched March 7 2024. 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 QDTE and QQQY pay monthly distributions?

QDTE: Pays weekly distributions. 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 QDTE 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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