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Covered CallGlobal X

QYLD Dividend Calculator: Project Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF Income

QYLD holds the Nasdaq-100 and systematically writes at-the-money call options against the index, distributing the premium it collects each month. That structure produces one of the highest headline yields among equity ETFs.

The trade-off is structural, not temporary: writing at-the-money calls caps participation in rallies, and the fund's net asset value has historically drifted lower over full market cycles even while distributions were paid. Some distributions can be classified as return of capital.

This calculator projects QYLD income with or without reinvestment and solves backwards from a monthly target. Use it to see the cash flow, then weigh that against total return and tax treatment.

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Data as of September 27, 2026 · Sources: Yahoo Finance and fund fact sheets.

Share price
$18.55
Dividend yield (TTM)
9.67%
Expense ratio
0.60%
Distribution frequency
Monthly
TTM distributions / share
$2.14
Assets under management
$8.3B
How much QYLD do you need for your income goal?

Capital required at the current 9.67% yield, before taxes and before accounting for future dividend growth or reinvestment.

Monthly incomeAnnual incomeCapital requiredApprox. shares
$500/month$6.0K$62.0K3,345
$1,000/month$12.0K$124.1K6,690
$2,000/month$24.0K$248.2K13,380
$3,000/month$36.0K$372.3K20,070
$5,000/month$60.0K$620.5K33,449
$10,000/month$120.0K$1.2M66,898

Estimates only. Yield, share price, and distributions change over time. Use the full calculator to model monthly contributions, dividend growth, taxes, and reinvestment.

How long to reach your QYLD income goal?

Years until projected dividend income first reaches each target, starting from zero with every distribution reinvested. Assumes today's 9.67% yield and dividend growth consistent with the fund's record; taxes and withdrawals are excluded.

Monthly contribution$500/month$1,000/month$2,000/month$5,000/month
$250/month11 yr16 yr22 yr30 yr
$500/month7 yr11 yr16 yr24 yr
$1,000/month5 yr7 yr11 yr18 yr

Projections assume a constant yield, dividend growth consistent with the holding's recent record, no price changes beyond its recent trend, and full reinvestment. Actual results will differ. Dividend income is shown before taxes.

Who QYLD is for
  • Income investors who explicitly prioritize maximum current cash flow
  • Tax-advantaged accounts where the distribution's tax mix matters less
  • Satellite positions sized deliberately, not as a core holding
  • Investors who understand capped upside and NAV erosion trade-offs
Trade-offs to understand
  • At-the-money calls cap gains in strong Nasdaq rallies
  • NAV has historically eroded across full cycles — high yield is not free
  • Distributions can include return of capital, and yield varies with volatility

About QYLD

Buys the Nasdaq-100 and writes at-the-money index call options each month. Caps upside in exchange for high monthly premium income — a pure income-maximization strategy.

QYLD key facts
MetricValue
Fund nameGlobal X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF
IssuerGlobal X
CategoryCovered Call
Inception date2013-12-11
Share price$18.55
NAV$18.54
Dividend yield (TTM)9.67%
Expense ratio0.60%
Distribution frequencyMonthly
Assets under management$8.3B
1-year return16.23%
5-year return (annualized)7.01%
3-year beta0.49

Historical returns are not a forecast. Figures shown are the latest available and may differ slightly from issuer fact sheets.

QYLD dividend history and payout schedule
TTM / share
$2.14
Yield (TTM)
9.67%
Annual growth
-5.0%
Pays in
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Payment datePer share
September 21, 2026$0.18
August 24, 2026$0.18
July 20, 2026$0.18
June 22, 2026$0.19
May 18, 2026$0.18
April 20, 2026$0.18
March 23, 2026$0.17
February 23, 2026$0.18

Annual growth compares the latest twelve months of distributions with the twelve months ending four years earlier and is not a forecast. Past distributions can be reduced or suspended.

Top holdings

The largest positions in QYLD, by portfolio weight.

  • NVDANVIDIA Corp8.69%
  • AAPLApple Inc7.57%
  • MSFTMicrosoft Corp6.13%
  • MUMicron Technology Inc4.86%
  • AMZNAmazon.com Inc4.55%
  • AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc3.45%
  • GOOGLAlphabet Inc Class A3.22%
  • TSLATesla Inc2.99%
Sector allocation

Sector exposure reported by the fund provider.

  • Information Tech51.00%
  • Communication16.00%
  • Consumer Disc.13.50%
  • Health Care6.80%
  • Consumer Staples4.20%
  • Industrials4.10%
QYLD frequently asked questions

QYLD yields about 9.67% on a trailing basis at $18.55 per share, one of the highest yields among equity ETFs. The yield is driven by option premium, so it moves with Nasdaq volatility rather than company dividend policy.

At a 9.67% yield, $12,000 per year requires roughly $124.1K, or about 6,690 shares at $18.55. That is less capital than a conventional dividend ETF would need, which is exactly why the yield looks attractive — and why the risks need weighing too.

Yes, QYLD distributes monthly, recently in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. The trailing twelve-month distribution totals about $2.14 per share, but the amount varies with the option premium the fund collects.

The distribution is funded mainly by option premium from selling Nasdaq-100 calls, not by dividends from underlying companies. Selling at-the-money calls generates large premium income but gives up upside above the strike, which is why the yield and the total-return profile must be evaluated together.

Some distributions can be classified as return of capital, which reduces your cost basis for tax purposes rather than counting as immediate income. Check the fund's annual tax character statements before treating the full distribution as spendable income.

Both sell Nasdaq-linked call options and pay monthly. QYLD writes at-the-money calls on the index itself and typically yields more; JEPQ sells equity-linked notes alongside a Nasdaq-100 stock portfolio, usually with somewhat less capped upside. Compare them side by side for current figures.

Investing $500 a month with all distributions reinvested, QYLD's projected dividend income reaches $1,000 a month in about 11 years. By then you would have contributed roughly $66.0K and the projected portfolio value would be about $101.4K. This assumes today's 9.67% yield and the growth assumptions shown in the calculator, with no taxes or withdrawals — projections, not guarantees.
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Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. Fund data is sourced from Yahoo Finance and issuer fact sheets and may be delayed or contain errors. Dividend yields and distributions are not guaranteed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.