BBP vs QQQ
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BBP or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BBP led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. BBP is less concentrated, with 19.9% 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 | BBP | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.34% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $118M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 70 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +32.43%Best | +17.11% |
| 1Y Return | +50.25%Best | +23.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.92%Best | +24.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.98%Best | +14.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.0% | 18.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.3% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,096Best | $19,449 |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Virtus Investment Partners | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 16, 2014 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 17, 2014 to Sep 9, 2026 (11.7 years).
BBP 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 11.7 years both funds cover.
BBP vs QQQ Performance
Virtus LifeSci Biotech Products ETF (BBP) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BBP returned +50.25% while QQQ returned +23.99%. Year to date, BBP is up 32.43% versus a gain of 17.11% for QQQ.
Over three years, BBP compounded at +25.92% per year against +24.62% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.98% and +14.23% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.42% annualized vs +12.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BBP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.0% compared with 18.7% 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 -44.3% for BBP 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BBP charges 0.34% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $34 vs $18 annually, a gap of $16 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BBP currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
7.1% of BBP's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings BBP also owns.
BBP and QQQ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in BBP and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 70 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for BBP (94.3% of the fund), and 56 for BBP that do not appear in QQQ (84.2%).
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 BBP 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, BBP or QQQ?
BBP has an expense ratio of 0.34% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $16 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BBP or QQQ?
Over the past year BBP returned +50.25% vs +23.99% for QQQ, so BBP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), BBP annualized +12.83% vs +18.42% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BBP or QQQ?
BBP has been the more volatile fund at 24.0% annualized versus 18.7% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: BBP -44.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both BBP and QQQ?
BBP and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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 BBP and QQQ?
7.1% of BBP's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.7% of QQQ's is in holdings BBP also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 68 positions we hold weights for in BBP and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, BBP or QQQ?
BBP yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BBP?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BBP led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. BBP is less concentrated, with 19.9% 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.