BAR vs QQQ
Graniteshares Gold Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BAR or QQQ?
Gold against Large Cap Growth.
BAR has a lower expense ratio. BAR led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ 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 | BAR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.17%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $1.4B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 1 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +0.96% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.83% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +31.12%Best | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.74%Best | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.4%Best | 19.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,615Best | $20,324 |
| Fund Family | GraniteShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 23, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 31, 2017 to Sep 18, 2026 (9 years).
BAR 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 9 years both funds cover.
BAR vs QQQ Performance
Graniteshares Gold Trust (BAR) is an ETF from GraniteShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BAR returned +19.83% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, BAR is up 0.96% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, BAR compounded at +31.12% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +19.74% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.72% annualized vs +13.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.8% compared with 15.4% for BAR. 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 -26.3% for BAR 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 0.11. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BAR charges 0.17% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $17 vs $18 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BAR currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BAR 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, BAR or QQQ?
BAR has an expense ratio of 0.17% while QQQ charges 0.18%. BAR is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BAR or QQQ?
Over the past year BAR returned +19.83% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), BAR annualized +13.98% vs +19.72% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BAR or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.8% annualized versus 15.4% for BAR. Worst drawdown: BAR -26.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both BAR and QQQ?
BAR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.11, 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, BAR or QQQ?
BAR yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BAR?
BAR has a lower expense ratio. BAR led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.