BUSA vs QQQ
Brandes US Value ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BUSA or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. BUSA is less concentrated, with 24.3% 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 | BUSA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $324M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 65 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.06% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.67% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.72% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.5%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.2%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $16,314 | $20,663Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.3%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Brandes Investment Partners | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 3, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 5, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3 years).
BUSA 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 3 years both funds cover.
BUSA vs QQQ Performance
Brandes US Value ETF (BUSA) is an ETF from Brandes Investment Partners and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BUSA returned +16.67% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, BUSA is up 10.06% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, BUSA compounded at +17.72% per year against +25.63% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 12.5% for BUSA. 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 -14.2% for BUSA 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BUSA charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, BUSA currently yields 1.37% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
3.6% of BUSA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings BUSA also owns.
BUSA and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in BUSA and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 65 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for BUSA (94.0% of the fund), and 58 for BUSA that do not appear in QQQ (90.2%).
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 BUSA 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, BUSA or QQQ?
BUSA has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BUSA or QQQ?
Over the past year BUSA returned +16.67% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, BUSA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 12.5% for BUSA. Worst drawdown: BUSA -14.2% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both BUSA and QQQ?
BUSA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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 BUSA and QQQ?
3.6% of BUSA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.5% of QQQ's is in holdings BUSA also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 64 positions we hold weights for in BUSA and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, BUSA or QQQ?
BUSA yields 1.37% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so BUSA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than BUSA?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. BUSA is less concentrated, with 24.3% 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.