BXSL vs QQQ
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, BXSL or QQQ?
Bank Loan against Large Cap Growth.
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 | BXSL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 11.03% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | - | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | - | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 1 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -1.15% | +22.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.92% | +23.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.51% | +27.53%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.35% | +16.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2%Best | 20.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.8% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,933 | $21,617Best |
| Fund Family | The Blackstone Group Inc | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 26, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 28, 2021 to Oct 9, 2026 (4.9 years).
BXSL 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 4.9 years both funds cover.
BXSL vs QQQ Performance
Blackstone Secured Lending Fund (BXSL) is an ETF from The Blackstone Group Inc and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year BXSL returned +6.92% while QQQ returned +23.60%. Year to date, BXSL is down 1.15% versus a gain of 22.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, BXSL compounded at +7.51% per year against +27.53% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.35% and +16.67% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 17.2% for BXSL. 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 -36.8% for BXSL 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 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
BXSL charges 11.03% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $1103 vs $18 annually, a gap of $1085 per year that compounds over a long holding period.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in BXSL and 102 in QQQ, totalling 0.0% 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 77 days apart, BXSL as of Jun 30, 2026 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 positions we hold weights for in BXSL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 1 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of BXSL 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, BXSL or QQQ?
BXSL has an expense ratio of 11.03% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $1085 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, BXSL or QQQ?
Over the past year BXSL returned +6.92% vs +23.60% 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, BXSL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 17.2% for BXSL. Worst drawdown: BXSL -36.8% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both BXSL and QQQ?
BXSL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Is QQQ better than BXSL?
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.