ACWI vs QQQ
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ACWI 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. ACWI is less concentrated, with 24.4% 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 | ACWI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $33.0B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 2,280 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +13.12% | +17.11%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.52% | +23.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.24% | +24.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.70% | +14.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.6%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.3% | -49.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,624 | $19,449Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.4%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2008 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 28, 2008 to Sep 9, 2026 (18.5 years).
ACWI 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 18.5 years both funds cover.
ACWI vs QQQ Performance
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ACWI returned +20.52% while QQQ returned +23.99%. Year to date, ACWI is up 13.12% versus a gain of 17.11% for QQQ.
Over three years, ACWI compounded at +20.24% per year against +24.62% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.70% and +14.23% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +16.60% annualized vs +7.01%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 16.6% for ACWI. 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 -56.3% for ACWI and -49.4% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ACWI charges 0.32% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $18 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ACWI currently yields 1.40% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
34.4% of ACWI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 96.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings ACWI also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside ACWI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
96 positions in common, counted across the 2,179 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 2,280 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 3 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ACWI (1.6% of the fund), and 434 for ACWI that do not appear in QQQ (29.7%).
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 ACWI | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 4.85% | 8.44% | 3.59% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.37% | 7.27% | 2.90% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.29% | 5.76% | 2.47% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.53% | 4.67% | 2.14% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.96% | 4.43% | 3.47% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.02% | 3.36% | 1.34% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.80% | 3.16% | 1.36% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.59% | 3.13% | 1.54% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.75% | 3.45% | 2.70% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.24% | 2.78% | 1.54% |
96.9% of QQQ is already inside ACWI.
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, ACWI or QQQ?
ACWI has an expense ratio of 0.32% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ACWI or QQQ?
Over the past year ACWI returned +20.52% vs +23.99% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), ACWI annualized +7.01% vs +16.60% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ACWI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 16.6% for ACWI. Worst drawdown: ACWI -56.3% vs QQQ -49.4%.
Should I hold both ACWI and QQQ?
ACWI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 ACWI and QQQ?
96.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings ACWI also owns. 96.9% of QQQ's is in holdings ACWI also owns. They hold 96 positions in common, counted across the 2,179 positions we hold weights for in ACWI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, ACWI or QQQ?
ACWI yields 1.40% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so ACWI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ACWI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ACWI is less concentrated, with 24.4% 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.