ARMY vs QQQ
Tema International Defense ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ARMY or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y. ARMY is less concentrated, with 45.2% 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 | ARMY | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 34 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -3.86% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.60% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.9% | 21.9%Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.2%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Tema Global Limited | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
ARMY 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.
ARMY vs QQQ Performance
Tema International Defense ETF (ARMY) is an ETF from Tema Global Limited and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ARMY returned -6.60% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, ARMY is down 3.86% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ARMY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.9% compared with 21.9% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ARMY charges 0.68% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $18 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ARMY currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
6.2% of ARMY's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings ARMY also owns.
ARMY and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in ARMY and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 34 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ARMY (95.8% of the fund), and 9 for ARMY that do not appear in QQQ (13.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ARMY 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, ARMY or QQQ?
ARMY has an expense ratio of 0.68% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ARMY or QQQ?
Over the past year ARMY returned -6.60% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ARMY or QQQ?
ARMY has been the more volatile fund at 30.9% annualized versus 21.9% for QQQ.
Should I hold both ARMY and QQQ?
ARMY and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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 ARMY and QQQ?
6.2% of ARMY's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of QQQ's is in holdings ARMY also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in ARMY and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, ARMY or QQQ?
ARMY yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ARMY?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y. ARMY is less concentrated, with 45.2% 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.