Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • Global X • Covered Call/Income
Expense Ratio
0.60%
AUM
$8.0B
Dividend Yield
11.00%
Inception
2013
Beginner Score
9.5/10
What is Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF?
QYLD uses a covered call strategy on the Nasdaq 100 index, writing monthly call options to generate consistent income. It sacrifices upside potential for high monthly distributions. This ETF is popular among income-focused investors but beginners should understand that total returns will lag the Nasdaq in strong bull markets.
QYLD is managed by Global X and has been available since 2013. With $8.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.60%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $60 per year in management fees.
QYLD at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% |
| Total Holdings | 103 |
| P/E Ratio | 24.5 |
| Beta | 0.55 |
| Dividend Yield | 11.00% |
| AUM | $8.0B |
| Inception Year | 2013 |
| Issuer | Global X |
Top 10 Holdings in QYLD
QYLD holds 103 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. | AAPL | 8.90% |
| 2 | Microsoft Corp. | MSFT | 8.20% |
| 3 | NVIDIA Corp. | NVDA | 7.50% |
| 4 | Amazon.com Inc. | AMZN | 5.50% |
| 5 | Broadcom Inc. | AVGO | 4.20% |
| 6 | Meta Platforms Inc. | META | 4.00% |
| 7 | Tesla Inc. | TSLA | 3.20% |
| 8 | Alphabet Inc. Class A | GOOGL | 2.80% |
| 9 | Costco Wholesale Corp. | COST | 2.50% |
| 10 | Netflix Inc. | NFLX | 2.20% |
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QYLD Performance History
Here's how QYLD has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
1.00%
1 Year
9.00%
3 Year
3.00%
5 Year
5.00%
10 Year
6.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 9.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
QYLD scores 9.5/10 because it has very low fees, shows lower-than-average volatility, offers broad diversification across 103 holdings, and has been available since 2013, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy QYLD — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "QYLD" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into QYLD
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With QYLD's expense ratio of 0.60%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $4,914 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of QYLD
Pros
- ✓Extremely high monthly income yield of approximately 11%
- ✓Lower volatility than holding the Nasdaq 100 directly
- ✓Monthly distributions provide consistent cash flow
- ✓Straightforward covered call strategy that is easy to understand
Cons
- ✗Significantly limited upside potential in bull markets
- ✗Total return has historically lagged QQQ over long periods
- ✗Share price tends to erode slowly over time due to the options strategy
QYLD vs Similar ETFs
See how QYLD stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QYLD a good ETF for beginners?▾
QYLD has a Beginner Suitability Score of 9.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of QYLD?▾
QYLD has an expense ratio of 0.60%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $60 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in QYLD?▾
You can invest in QYLD with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does QYLD pay dividends?▾
Yes, QYLD pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 11.00%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in QYLD?▾
The top holdings in QYLD include Apple Inc. (8.90%), Microsoft Corp. (8.20%), NVIDIA Corp. (7.50%), and more. The fund holds 103 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.