CEF vs QQQ
Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CEF or QQQ?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. CEF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 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 | CEF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.46% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $7.7B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 4 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -3.27% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +31.03%Best | +21.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +35.15%Best | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.04%Best | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1%Best | 30.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -62.3%Best | -83.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $25,980Best | $20,324 |
| Fund Family | Sprott Asset Management LP | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 16, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Sep 18, 2026 (27.5 years).
CEF 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 27.5 years both funds cover.
CEF vs QQQ Performance
Sprott Physical Gold and Silver Trust (CEF) is an ETF from Sprott Asset Management LP and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CEF returned +31.03% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, CEF is down 3.27% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, CEF compounded at +35.15% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +21.04% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.04% annualized vs +9.32%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 23.1% for CEF. 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 -62.3% for CEF and -83.0% 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 0.03. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CEF charges 0.46% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $46 vs $18 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CEF currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CEF 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, CEF or QQQ?
CEF has an expense ratio of 0.46% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CEF or QQQ?
Over the past year CEF returned +31.03% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so CEF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), CEF annualized +9.32% vs +13.04% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CEF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 23.1% for CEF. Worst drawdown: CEF -62.3% vs QQQ -83.0%.
Should I hold both CEF and QQQ?
CEF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.03, 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, CEF or QQQ?
CEF yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CEF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. CEF led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.