CAS vs QQQ
Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CAS or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | CAS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.88% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 26.55% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 47 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.96% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -9.50% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.3% | 20.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -24.1% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,912 | $14,466Best |
| Fund Family | Simplify Exchange Traded Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 14, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.7 years).
CAS 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
CAS vs QQQ Performance
Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF (CAS) is an ETF from Simplify Exchange Traded Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CAS returned -9.50% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, CAS is up 7.96% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CAS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.3% compared with 20.1% for QQQ. 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 -24.1% for CAS 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CAS charges 0.88% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $88 vs $18 annually, a gap of $70 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CAS currently yields 26.55% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in CAS and 102 in QQQ, totalling 40.8% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in CAS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 47 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CAS 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, CAS or QQQ?
CAS has an expense ratio of 0.88% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $70 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CAS or QQQ?
Over the past year CAS returned -9.50% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), CAS annualized +16.22% vs +24.26% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CAS or QQQ?
CAS has been the more volatile fund at 27.3% annualized versus 20.1% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: CAS -24.1% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both CAS and QQQ?
CAS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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, CAS or QQQ?
CAS yields 26.55% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so CAS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CAS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.