BLV vs QQQ
Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BLV or QQQ?
Long Term Bond against Large Cap Growth.
BLV has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | BLV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $5.7B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.95% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 2,974 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -2.02% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.68% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.56% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.81% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -40.7%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $7,815 | $19,407Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2007 to Sep 4, 2026 (19.4 years).
BLV 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.
BLV vs QQQ Performance
Vanguard Long-Term Bond ETF (BLV) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BLV returned -0.68% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, BLV is down 2.02% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, BLV compounded at +2.56% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -4.81% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.59% annualized vs +0.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 11.0% for BLV. 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 -40.7% for BLV and -53.5% 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 0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BLV charges 0.03% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $18 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BLV currently yields 4.95% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 320 holdings in BLV and 102 in QQQ, totalling 19.9% 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 320 positions we hold weights for in BLV and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 2,974 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BLV 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, BLV or QQQ?
BLV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while QQQ charges 0.18%. BLV is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BLV or QQQ?
Over the past year BLV returned -0.68% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), BLV annualized +0.55% vs +15.59% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BLV or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 11.0% for BLV. Worst drawdown: BLV -40.7% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both BLV and QQQ?
BLV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.21, 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, BLV or QQQ?
BLV yields 4.95% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so BLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BLV?
BLV has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.