AIO vs QQQ
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AIO or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | AIO | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.47% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $954M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.01% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 96 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +16.64%Best | +15.21% |
| 1Y Return | +12.91% | +19.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.38% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.19% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.1% | 20.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.2% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,245 | $19,195Best |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2019 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2019 to Sep 16, 2026 (6.9 years).
AIO 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 6.9 years both funds cover.
AIO vs QQQ Performance
Virtus Artificial Intelligence & Technology Opportunities Fund (AIO) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year AIO returned +12.91% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, AIO is up 16.64% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, AIO compounded at +22.38% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.19% and +13.93% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.00% annualized vs +13.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.1% compared with 20.7% 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 -45.2% for AIO 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 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIO charges 1.47% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $147 vs $18 annually, a gap of $129 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIO currently yields 11.01% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 44.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings AIO also owns.
Stated as a floor: for AIO, our book for it covers 83.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 97 days apart, AIO as of Apr 30, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
20 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in AIO and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 96 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AIO | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 4.63% | 8.44% | 3.81% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.11% | 5.76% | 5.65% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.01% | 4.43% | 3.42% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.04% | 3.16% | 1.12% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 1.54% | 3.36% | 1.82% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.52% | 3.45% | 2.93% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.29% | 2.41% | 1.12% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.43% | 1.69% | 0.26% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.11% | 2.78% | 2.67% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 2.02% | 0.79% | 1.23% |
44.7% of QQQ is already inside AIO.
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, AIO or QQQ?
AIO has an expense ratio of 1.47% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $129 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIO or QQQ?
Over the past year AIO returned +12.91% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), AIO annualized +13.04% vs +21.00% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIO or QQQ?
AIO has been the more volatile fund at 22.1% annualized versus 20.7% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: AIO -45.2% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both AIO and QQQ?
AIO and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 AIO and QQQ?
At least 44.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings AIO also owns. Our book for AIO is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 20 positions in common, counted across the 77 positions we hold weights for in AIO and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, AIO or QQQ?
AIO yields 11.01% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so AIO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AIO?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.