AAPU vs QQQ
Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AAPU or QQQ?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. AAPU led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | AAPU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.96% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $181M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.08% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 11 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +36.79%Best | +21.16% |
| 1Y Return | +52.28%Best | +24.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.62% | +27.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 42.3% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -59.9% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.1 years | $20,830 | $23,823Best |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 9, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 9, 2022 to Sep 24, 2026 (4.1 years).
AAPU vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 4.1 years both funds cover.
AAPU vs QQQ Performance
Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X ETF (AAPU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year AAPU returned +52.28% while QQQ returned +24.78%. Year to date, AAPU is up 36.79% versus a gain of 21.16% for QQQ.
Over three years, AAPU compounded at +27.62% per year against +27.95% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +23.58% annualized vs +19.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AAPU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 42.3% compared with 18.9% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -59.9% for AAPU and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AAPU charges 0.96% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $96 vs $18 annually, a gap of $78 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AAPU currently yields 6.08% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 7.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings AAPU also owns.
Stated as a floor: for AAPU, our book for it covers 88.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and AAPU share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in AAPU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 11 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AAPU | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 20.40% | 7.27% | 13.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AAPU and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AAPU or QQQ?
AAPU has an expense ratio of 0.96% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $78 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AAPU or QQQ?
Over the past year AAPU returned +52.28% vs +24.78% for QQQ, so AAPU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), AAPU annualized +19.60% vs +23.58% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AAPU or QQQ?
AAPU has been the more volatile fund at 42.3% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: AAPU -59.9% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both AAPU and QQQ?
AAPU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between AAPU and QQQ?
At least 7.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings AAPU also owns. Our book for AAPU is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 4 positions we hold weights for in AAPU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAPU or QQQ?
AAPU yields 6.08% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so AAPU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AAPU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. AAPU led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.