AJUL vs QQQ
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to July 2026 vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AJUL or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | AJUL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $94M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 5 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +3.86% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.66% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.4%Best | 17.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.1%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.2 years | $11,669 | $15,086Best |
| Fund Family | Innovator ETFs Trust | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 1, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.2 years).
AJUL 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 2.2 years both funds cover.
AJUL vs QQQ Performance
Innovator Equity Defined Protection ETF - 2 Yr to July 2026 (AJUL) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year AJUL returned +5.66% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, AJUL is up 3.86% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 3.4% for AJUL. 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 -6.1% for AJUL 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 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AJUL charges 0.79% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $18 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AJUL currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in AJUL and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.7% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in AJUL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 5 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AJUL and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, AJUL or QQQ?
AJUL has an expense ratio of 0.79% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AJUL or QQQ?
Over the past year AJUL returned +5.66% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), AJUL annualized +7.27% vs +20.55% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AJUL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 3.4% for AJUL. Worst drawdown: AJUL -6.1% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both AJUL and QQQ?
AJUL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, AJUL or QQQ?
AJUL yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AJUL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.