Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
IDV vs QYLD
iShares International Select Dividend ETF versus Global X Nasdaq 100 Covered Call ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
IDV wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but QYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
IDV wins this comparison 3–1 across 6 dimensions. IDV yields 4.63% — lower than QYLD's 9.88% — and carries a 6.8/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 5.1/10 for QYLD (Mixed). IDV wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but QYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, QYLD generates 9.88% vs 4.63% — a 5.25% difference that translates to $5,250 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, IDV scores 6.8/10 (Solid) vs 5.1/10 (Mixed) for QYLD — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | IDV | QYLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 4.63% | 9.88% | QYLD wins |
| Dividend safety | 6.8/10 | 5.1/10 | IDV wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 50.00% | 60.00% | IDV wins |
| Scale | $7.9B | $8.1B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Ordinary income | IDV wins |
| Overall | 3 wins | 1 wins | IDV wins |
Dimension by dimension
QYLD wins on yield (9.88% vs 4.63%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $525 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
QYLD's higher yield (9.88%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus IDV's 4.63% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
IDV wins on safety (6.8/10 vs 5.1/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. IDV scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
IDV (6.8/10) scores 1.7 points higher than QYLD (5.1/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
IDV is cheaper (50.00% vs 60.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $1000/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, IDV's lower expense ratio saves roughly $10/year in fees versus QYLD. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
Comparable scale ($7.9B vs $8.1B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
IDV is more tax-efficient in a taxable account
QYLD's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from IDV which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
QYLD uses a covered-call or options strategy that typically generates ordinary income taxed at your full marginal rate. IDV's dividends may qualify for the 0–20% qualified dividend rate. In a taxable account, IDV keeps more of your income after taxes.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice.Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
Which is better for income, IDV or QYLD?
IDV wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but QYLD can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
IDV vs QYLD: which has a higher dividend yield?
IDV yields 4.63% and QYLD yields 9.88%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $525 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is IDV or QYLD a safer dividend in 2026?
IDV scores 6.8/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. QYLD scores 5.1/10 (Mixed). IDV is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, IDV or QYLD?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
IDV vs QYLD: which is more tax-efficient?
QYLD's distributions are typically taxed as ordinary income (covered call ETF, REIT, or mREIT) — versus qualified dividends from IDV which get the lower long-term capital gains rate.
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