AELV vs QQQ
Harbor AlphaEdge Large Cap Value ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AELV or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. AELV is less concentrated, with 37.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.9%.
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 | AELV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $437.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.38% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 150 | 208 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 10.7%Best | 18.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -16.6%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $13,581 | $15,943Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.0%Best | 46.9% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 4, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 26 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. AELV has data through Oct 15, 2026 and QQQ through Nov 10, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 5, 2024 to Oct 15, 2026 (2.1 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 10.7% for AELV. 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 -16.6% for AELV 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AELV charges 0.25% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $18 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AELV currently yields 1.38% against 0.43% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
25.9% of AELV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 38.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings AELV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
13 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in AELV and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 150 and 208.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 81 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for AELV (58.6% of the fund), and 59 for AELV that do not appear in QQQ (72.5%).
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 AELV | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 7.05% | 7.68% | 0.63% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.11% | 8.05% | 5.94% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.13% | 6.16% | 3.03% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.20% | 4.23% | 1.03% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.52% | 4.47% | 2.95% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 0.53% | 3.15% | 2.62% |
| ADBEAdobe Systems | 3.16% | 0.42% | 2.74% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.79% | 1.84% | 1.05% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 1.68% | 0.32% | 1.36% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 1.24% | 0.34% | 0.90% |
38.6% of QQQ is already inside AELV.
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, AELV or QQQ?
AELV has an expense ratio of 0.25% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, AELV or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 10.7% for AELV. Worst drawdown: AELV -16.6% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both AELV and QQQ?
AELV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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 AELV and QQQ?
38.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings AELV also owns. 38.6% of QQQ's is in holdings AELV also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 75 positions we hold weights for in AELV and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, AELV or QQQ?
AELV yields 1.38% while QQQ yields 0.43%, so AELV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AELV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. AELV is less concentrated, with 37.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.