AGD vs QQQ
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AGD 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. AGD is less concentrated, with 27.7% 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 | AGD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.35% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $325M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.73% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 88 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.10% | +21.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.48% | +24.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.17% | +27.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.00% | +15.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.7% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -88.3% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,105 | $20,457Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 27.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 26, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 26, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (20.2 years).
AGD 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AGD vs QQQ Performance
Abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund (AGD) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year AGD returned +1.48% while QQQ returned +24.36%. Year to date, AGD is up 10.10% versus a gain of 21.18% for QQQ.
Over three years, AGD compounded at +23.17% per year against +27.99% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.00% and +15.39% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +16.28% annualized vs -3.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AGD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.7% compared with 18.6% 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 -88.3% for AGD and -53.5% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AGD charges 1.35% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $135 vs $18 annually, a gap of $117 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AGD currently yields 11.73% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
22.8% of AGD's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 33.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings AGD also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 88 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 83 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for AGD (64.5% of the fund), and 35 for AGD that do not appear in QQQ (34.8%).
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 AGD | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.49% | 8.44% | 5.95% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.14% | 7.27% | 4.13% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 3.04% | 5.76% | 2.72% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.43% | 3.13% | 0.30% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.35% | 3.16% | 0.19% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.28% | 2.10% | 0.82% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.71% | 1.00% | 0.29% |
| HONHoneywell International Inc. | 1.27% | 0.35% | 0.92% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 0.52% | 0.81% | 0.29% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors N.V | 0.92% | 0.26% | 0.66% |
33.3% of QQQ is already inside AGD.
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, AGD or QQQ?
AGD has an expense ratio of 1.35% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $117 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AGD or QQQ?
Over the past year AGD returned +1.48% vs +24.36% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), AGD annualized -3.37% vs +16.28% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AGD or QQQ?
AGD has been the more volatile fund at 23.7% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: AGD -88.3% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both AGD and QQQ?
AGD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 AGD and QQQ?
33.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings AGD also owns. 33.3% of QQQ's is in holdings AGD also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 87 positions we hold weights for in AGD and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, AGD or QQQ?
AGD yields 11.73% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so AGD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AGD?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. AGD is less concentrated, with 27.7% 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.