CDEI vs QQQ
Calvert US Large-Cap Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Index ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CDEI or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
CDEI has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.3%.
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 | CDEI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.14%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $19M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.95% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 466 | 321 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.2%Best | 17.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.5%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $18,951 | $23,780Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.3% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Calvert | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 10 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CDEI has data through Oct 23, 2026 and QQQ through Nov 2, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 1, 2023 to Oct 23, 2026 (3.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 12.2% for CDEI. 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 -19.5% for CDEI 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CDEI charges 0.14% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $14 vs $18 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CDEI currently yields 0.95% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
55.0% of CDEI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 48.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings CDEI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
40 positions in common, counted across the 230 positions we hold weights for in CDEI and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 466 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 54 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for CDEI (48.6% of the fund), and 183 for CDEI that do not appear in QQQ (44.5%).
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 CDEI | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 9.71% | 8.33% | 1.38% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.91% | 7.35% | 1.56% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.33% | 5.76% | 1.57% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 7.27% | 3.05% | 4.22% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.12% | 4.17% | 0.05% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.17% | 2.64% | 0.47% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.78% | 1.77% | 0.01% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.75% | 1.72% | 0.03% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.11% | 1.69% | 0.58% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 1.31% | 1.35% | 0.04% |
55.0% of CDEI 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, CDEI or QQQ?
CDEI has an expense ratio of 0.14% while QQQ charges 0.18%. CDEI is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CDEI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 12.2% for CDEI. Worst drawdown: CDEI -19.5% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both CDEI and QQQ?
CDEI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 CDEI and QQQ?
55.0% of CDEI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 48.5% of QQQ's is in holdings CDEI also owns. They hold 40 positions in common, counted across the 230 positions we hold weights for in CDEI and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CDEI or QQQ?
CDEI yields 0.95% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so CDEI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CDEI?
CDEI has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.