CBSE vs QQQ
Clough Select Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CBSE or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. CBSE is less concentrated, with 30.9% 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 | CBSE | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $50M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.30% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 43 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.2% | 19.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -36.3% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $17,888 | $18,443Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Changebridge Capital | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 12, 2020 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 595 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CBSE has data through Jan 17, 2025 and QQQ through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 13, 2020 to Jan 17, 2025 (4.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CBSE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.2% compared with 19.9% 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 -36.3% for CBSE 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 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CBSE charges 0.85% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $18 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CBSE currently yields 0.30% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
22.0% of CBSE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 9.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings CBSE also owns.
CBSE and QQQ share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in CBSE and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 43 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 87 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for CBSE (88.5% of the fund), and 28 for CBSE that do not appear in QQQ (70.2%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CBSE | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.84% | 3.16% | 0.32% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 2.54% | 3.13% | 0.59% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 2.88% | 0.81% | 2.07% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 3.03% | 0.53% | 2.50% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 2.90% | 0.27% | 2.63% |
| CEGConstellation Energy Corporation Com | 2.57% | 0.42% | 2.15% |
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 2.52% | 0.28% | 2.24% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 1.36% | 0.24% | 1.12% |
| CRWVCoreweave, Inc. | 1.35% | 0.18% | 1.17% |
22.0% of CBSE 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, CBSE or QQQ?
CBSE has an expense ratio of 0.85% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CBSE or QQQ?
CBSE has been the more volatile fund at 22.2% annualized versus 19.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: CBSE -36.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both CBSE and QQQ?
CBSE and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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 CBSE and QQQ?
22.0% of CBSE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 9.0% of QQQ's is in holdings CBSE also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 42 positions we hold weights for in CBSE and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CBSE or QQQ?
CBSE yields 0.30% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CBSE?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. CBSE is less concentrated, with 30.9% 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.