BRLN vs QQQ
iShares Floating Rate Loan Active ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BRLN or QQQ?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | BRLN | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $54M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.15% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 463 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -1.47% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.60% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.48% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.7%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -3.9%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $12,816 | $26,701Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 4, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 6, 2022 to Sep 18, 2026 (4 years).
BRLN 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 4 years both funds cover.
BRLN vs QQQ Performance
iShares Floating Rate Loan Active ETF (BRLN) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BRLN returned -0.60% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, BRLN is down 1.47% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, BRLN compounded at +4.48% per year against +25.63% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +27.83% annualized vs +6.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 2.7% for BRLN. 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 -3.9% for BRLN and -22.8% 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 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BRLN charges 0.55% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $18 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BRLN currently yields 6.15% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 152 holdings in BRLN and 102 in QQQ, totalling 51.2% 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 152 positions we hold weights for in BRLN and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 463 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BRLN 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, BRLN or QQQ?
BRLN has an expense ratio of 0.55% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BRLN or QQQ?
Over the past year BRLN returned -0.60% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), BRLN annualized +6.40% vs +27.83% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BRLN or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 2.7% for BRLN. Worst drawdown: BRLN -3.9% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both BRLN and QQQ?
BRLN and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, 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, BRLN or QQQ?
BRLN yields 6.15% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so BRLN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BRLN?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.