GLD vs QYLD: SPDR Gold Shares vs Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF Comparison
Compare GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) by expense ratio, dividend yield, holdings, and more.
Key Differences
- 1Expense ratio: GLD 0.4% vs QYLD 0.6% (GLD is 0.20%p cheaper)
- 2Dividend yield: QYLD 11.82% vs GLD 0%
- 3Category: GLD is Bonds & Commodities, QYLD is Income / Covered Call
- 4Holdings: GLD 1 vs QYLD 103
- 5Issuer: GLD (State Street(SPDR)) vs QYLD (Global X)
Conclusion
GLD and QYLD each have different strengths, so the choice depends on your investment objectives. Choose the one with lower fees if cost is a priority, or the one with higher yield if income is your goal.
| Category | GLD | QYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Fund Name | SPDR Gold Shares | Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF |
| Current Price | ... | ... |
| Category | Bonds & Commodities | Income / Covered Call |
| Expense Ratio | 0.4% | 0.6% |
| Dividend Yield | 0% | 11.82% |
| Holdings | 1 | 103 |
GLD Top Holdings
- 1. Physical Gold
QYLD Top Holdings
- 1. Nasdaq 100 Stocks + Covered Call Writing
GLD Features
- •Gold investing
- •Safe-haven asset
- •Inflation hedge
- •Crisis response
QYLD Features
- •Monthly dividends
- •Covered call
- •High income
- •Limited upside
Pros & Cons
GLD
Advantages
- ✓ Portfolio hedge
- ✓ Inflation defense
- ✓ Benefits from dollar weakness
Disadvantages
- ⚠ No dividends
- ⚠ Storage costs
- ⚠ Opportunity cost
QYLD
Advantages
- ✓ High monthly dividends
- ✓ Reduced volatility
- ✓ Bear market defense
Disadvantages
- ⚠ Limited upside returns
- ⚠ Potential principal loss
- ⚠ Tax inefficiency
Investment Strategy
Best For: GLD
Allocate 5-10% for crisis hedging; increase during economic uncertainty
Best For: QYLD
For retirement income; bear market preparation; 10-20% of total portfolio
Detailed Analysis
GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) They belong to different categories — Bonds & Commodities and Income / Covered Call — representing distinct investment areas. GLD: SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to bonds, gold, and other commodities. It carries an expense ratio of 0.40%. The portfolio holds 1 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.4% and dividend yield of 0%, its top holdings include Physical Gold. Key features include Gold investing, Safe-haven asset, with Portfolio hedge being a major advantage. QYLD: Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) is an exchange-traded fund that provides investors with exposure to income generation through covered call and option strategies. It carries an expense ratio of 0.60%. The fund offers a dividend yield of approximately 11.82%. The portfolio holds 103 securities. With an expense ratio of 0.6% and dividend yield of 11.82%, top holdings include Nasdaq 100 Stocks + Covered Call Writing. Notable features are Monthly dividends, Covered call, with High monthly dividends as a core strength. In terms of expense ratio, GLD is 0.20%p cheaper, which can lead to significant cost savings through compounding over long-term investment. Over 20 years with a $100,000 investment, this difference can amount to thousands of dollars.
Investment Recommendation
GLD is suitable for Allocate 5-10% for crisis hedging; increase during economic uncertainty, while QYLD is suitable for For retirement income; bear market preparation; 10-20% of total portfolio. Since they are in different categories, holding both can provide portfolio diversification benefits. Adjust the allocation based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. For beginners, we recommend a core-satellite strategy: choose a low-cost, well-diversified ETF as your core holding, and allocate the rest to satellite positions.
Key Summary
Both GLD and QYLD are excellent ETFs for their respective investment objectives. The key is to choose based on your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Rather than focusing on a single metric (dividend yield, fees, etc.), evaluate from a holistic portfolio perspective. Use our rebalancing calculator to easily determine the optimal asset allocation including both ETFs.
GLD vs QYLD Investment Guide
Both GLD and QYLD are popular US ETFs, but they differ in investment strategy and portfolio role. GLD has an expense ratio of 0.4%, while QYLD charges 0.6%, giving GLD a cost advantage. In terms of dividend yield, GLD offers 0% while QYLD offers 11.82%, making QYLD the better choice for income investors.
When choosing between the two, consider your investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. If long-term growth is your priority, favor the ETF with lower fees and broader diversification. If you need steady cash flow, the higher-yielding ETF may be more suitable. You can also hold both in your portfolio for a complementary approach.
Regardless of which ETF you choose, maintaining your target allocation through regular rebalancing is key to long-term performance. Review your portfolio quarterly or semi-annually, and adjust if weights have drifted significantly. Our rebalancing calculator can automatically determine the buy/sell quantities for each holding.
5 Things to Check When Comparing ETFs
Expense Ratio: Even a 0.1% difference in fees can translate to thousands of dollars over long-term investing. When two ETFs track a similar index, the lower-cost option has the edge.
Tracking Index & Holdings: Even ETFs in the same category may track different indices. Review the top holdings and sector weights to find the best fit for your investment goals.
Dividend Policy: Compare dividend frequency (monthly vs quarterly), yield, and dividend growth rate. Monthly dividend ETFs may be preferable if you need regular cash flow.
Trading Volume & Liquidity: Sufficient daily trading volume ensures you can buy and sell at fair prices. Low-volume ETFs may have wider bid-ask spreads, increasing your trading costs.
Portfolio Role: Determine whether the ETF serves as a core or satellite holding in your portfolio, and size your position accordingly.