A Fellow’s Fancies & Funds

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Now, it appears a certain Madden Securities Corp – a Dallas establishment, mind you – has been pokin’ around in the till of the NEOS ETF Trust – NEOS Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF, which they call QQQI. A hefty $3.19 million worth of shares they scooped up in the last quarter, if you please. Folks are makin’ a fuss, treatin’ it like some grand pronouncement. I reckon it’s just a fellow puttin’ his money where he thinks it’ll grow, or at least not shrink too fast. But let’s have a look under the hood, shall we?

What’s Been Happenin’

This Madden outfit, see, they’ve increased their holdin’s in this QQQI by 58,594 shares. A considerable sum, to be sure, bringin’ their stake to 4.75% of the fund’s $8.3 billion. They claim it’s all up and up, a simple investment. I’ve heard that tune before, and it usually ends with someone whistlin’ past the graveyard. The quarter ended with a total value increase of $3.08 million, which includes both the new purchases and the natural ebb and flow of the market. A bit of both, as usual.

What Else a Body Might Need to Know

Now, this QQQI, it’s a peculiar beast. It’s designed to hand out a sizable income to investors by investin’ in those high-flyin’ Nasdaq-100 stocks and then playin’ a game of covered calls. A clever scheme, if you like such things. It’s like a farmer plantin’ a field of corn and then bettin’ on the weather. Might get a good harvest, might get a washin’ rain. The top holdings, as of late, are SPYI, QQQI itself, NVDA, AMZN and JEPQ. A collection of names that’d make a gambler’s heart sing, or a pessimist weep. As of February 3rd, the shares were sittin’ at $53.51, a bit down from their peak, mind you. A gentle reminder that even the finest horses stumble.

They boast a one-year total return of 17.4%, outdoin’ the S&P 500 by a hair. And a dividend yield of 13.93%? Why, that’s enough to make a miser grin! But let’s not get carried away. A high yield often comes with a trade-off. Like a shiny apple with a worm inside.

A Closer Inspection of the Contraption

Metric Value
AUM $8.3 billion
Dividend Yield (TTM) 13.93%
Price (as of market close February 3, 2026) $53.51
1-Year Total Return 17.40%

This QQQI, it’s an actively managed ETF, which means someone’s gettin’ paid to pick stocks. A noble profession, I suppose, though I’ve known more folks ruined by stock pickin’ than made rich by it. They aim for high income, usin’ those call options to squeeze out a few extra pennies. It’s a bit like tryin’ to get blood from a stone, but sometimes it works. They claim it’s all about deliverin’ enhanced yield, but I reckon it’s mostly about collectin’ fees.

What Does It All Mean for a Fella Like You?

Now, I’ve seen these funds come and go. They promise the moon, and deliver a handful of dust. This covered call strategy, it’s a double-edged sword. You get a steady income, but you give up some of the upside. It’s like tradin’ a fast horse for a reliable mule. The fund has delivered a total return of 41% since its inception, which is comparable to the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100. Not bad, but not exactly breakin’ any records.

So, is it a good investment? Well, that depends. If you’re lookin’ for a steady income stream and don’t mind missin’ out on some of the growth, it might be worth a look. But if you’re expectin’ to get rich quick, you’re likely to be disappointed. Remember, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. And in the world of finance, there’s usually a hidden cost. A man needs to be careful where he puts his money, and even more careful who he listens to. Especially those wearin’ fancy suits and talkin’ about “enhanced yields.”

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2026-02-05 17:03