CARK vs QQQ
CastleArk Large Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CARK or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.0%.
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 | CARK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.54% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $339M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 29 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.98% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.21% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 16.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.2% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $15,741 | $18,851Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 63.0% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | CastleArk Management LLC | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 6, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 7, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.8 years).
CARK 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
CARK vs QQQ Performance
CastleArk Large Growth ETF (CARK) is an ETF from CastleArk Management LLC and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CARK returned +9.21% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, CARK is up 7.98% versus a gain of 17.95% 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 16.9% compared with 16.7% for CARK. 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 -25.2% for CARK 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CARK charges 0.54% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $54 vs $18 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CARK currently yields 0.01% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
66.4% of CARK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 46.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings CARK also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
17 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in CARK and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 29 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 80 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for CARK (51.9% of the fund), and 12 for CARK that do not appear in QQQ (33.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CARK | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 13.97% | 8.44% | 5.53% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.60% | 7.27% | 0.67% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 9.54% | 3.36% | 6.18% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.82% | 5.76% | 0.94% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.71% | 3.16% | 1.55% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.70% | 4.67% | 1.97% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.22% | 3.45% | 0.23% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 4.79% | 1.69% | 3.10% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.27% | 2.78% | 0.49% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 3.37% | 0.72% | 2.65% |
66.4% of CARK is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CARK or QQQ?
CARK has an expense ratio of 0.54% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CARK or QQQ?
Over the past year CARK returned +9.21% 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, CARK or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 16.7% for CARK. Worst drawdown: CARK -25.2% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both CARK and QQQ?
CARK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CARK and QQQ?
66.4% of CARK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 46.5% of QQQ's is in holdings CARK also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in CARK and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CARK or QQQ?
CARK yields 0.01% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CARK?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.