BLOK vs QQQ
Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BLOK or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BLOK led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. BLOK is less concentrated, with 34.1% 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 | BLOK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.78% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 54 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +8.00% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.77% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +45.45%Best | +24.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.80% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 39.9% | 20.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -73.3% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,246 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 34.1%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 16, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (8.6 years).
BLOK 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
BLOK vs QQQ Performance
Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BLOK returned +1.77% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, BLOK is up 8.00% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, BLOK compounded at +45.45% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.80% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.85% annualized vs +16.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
BLOK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.9% compared with 20.1% 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 -73.3% for BLOK 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BLOK charges 0.70% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $18 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BLOK currently yields 0.78% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
12.4% of BLOK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 15.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings BLOK also owns.
QQQ and BLOK share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in BLOK and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 54 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 89 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for BLOK (81.2% of the fund), and 34 for BLOK that do not appear in QQQ (65.3%).
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 BLOK 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, BLOK or QQQ?
BLOK has an expense ratio of 0.70% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BLOK or QQQ?
Over the past year BLOK returned +1.77% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), BLOK annualized +16.22% vs +18.85% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BLOK or QQQ?
BLOK has been the more volatile fund at 39.9% annualized versus 20.1% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: BLOK -73.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both BLOK and QQQ?
BLOK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 BLOK and QQQ?
15.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings BLOK also owns. 15.8% of QQQ's is in holdings BLOK also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in BLOK and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, BLOK or QQQ?
BLOK yields 0.78% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so BLOK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BLOK?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. BLOK led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. BLOK is less concentrated, with 34.1% 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.