BTZ vs QQQ
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BTZ or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ 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 | BTZ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.12% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $969M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.35% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 2,036 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -5.82% | +24.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.56% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.23% | +28.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.30% | +16.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2%Best | 18.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -80.2% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,851 | $21,766Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 22, 2006 to Oct 6, 2026 (19.8 years).
BTZ 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.
BTZ vs QQQ Performance
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (BTZ) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BTZ returned -5.56% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, BTZ is down 5.82% versus a gain of 24.32% for QQQ.
Over three years, BTZ compounded at +9.23% per year against +28.30% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -0.30% and +16.83% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.82% annualized vs -2.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 18.2% for BTZ. 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 -80.2% for BTZ 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BTZ charges 1.12% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $112 vs $18 annually, a gap of $94 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BTZ currently yields 9.35% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,141 holdings in BTZ and 102 in QQQ, totalling 114.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 258 days apart, BTZ as of Dec 31, 2025 and QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 1,141 positions we hold weights for in BTZ and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 2,036 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BTZ 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, BTZ or QQQ?
BTZ has an expense ratio of 1.12% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $94 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BTZ or QQQ?
Over the past year BTZ returned -5.56% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), BTZ annualized -2.33% vs +15.82% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BTZ or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 18.2% for BTZ. Worst drawdown: BTZ -80.2% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both BTZ and QQQ?
BTZ and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, BTZ or QQQ?
BTZ yields 9.35% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so BTZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BTZ?
QQQ 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.