ACLC vs QQQ
American Century Large Cap Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ACLC or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. ACLC is less concentrated, with 38.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | ACLC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $327M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.54% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 101 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.72% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.20% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.60% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.66% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0%Best | 20.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.4%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,858 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | American Century Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2020 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 15, 2020 to Sep 4, 2026 (6.1 years).
ACLC 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 6.1 years both funds cover.
ACLC vs QQQ Performance
American Century Large Cap Equity ETF (ACLC) is an ETF from American Century Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ACLC returned +15.20% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, ACLC is up 10.72% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, ACLC compounded at +16.60% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.66% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.58% annualized vs +14.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 16.0% for ACLC. 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 -26.4% for ACLC and -35.1% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACLC charges 0.39% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $18 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACLC currently yields 0.54% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
54.2% of ACLC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 65.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings ACLC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
35 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in ACLC and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 101 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 62 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ACLC (32.4% of the fund), and 64 for ACLC that do not appear in QQQ (44.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ACLC | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 8.10% | 8.44% | 0.34% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.75% | 7.27% | 2.52% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.54% | 5.76% | 0.22% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 6.53% | 3.36% | 3.17% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.41% | 4.67% | 1.26% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.06% | 4.43% | 2.37% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.27% | 3.16% | 0.11% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.52% | 2.78% | 1.26% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.74% | 3.45% | 2.71% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 1.41% | 2.56% | 1.15% |
65.8% of QQQ is already inside ACLC.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, ACLC or QQQ?
ACLC has an expense ratio of 0.39% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACLC or QQQ?
Over the past year ACLC returned +15.20% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), ACLC annualized +14.16% vs +18.58% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACLC or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 16.0% for ACLC. Worst drawdown: ACLC -26.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ACLC and QQQ?
ACLC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ACLC and QQQ?
65.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings ACLC also owns. 65.8% of QQQ's is in holdings ACLC also owns. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 100 positions we hold weights for in ACLC and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACLC or QQQ?
ACLC yields 0.54% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so ACLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ACLC?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. ACLC is less concentrated, with 38.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.