CIF vs QQQ
MFS Intermediate High Income Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CIF or QQQ?
High Yield Bond 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 | CIF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.05% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.78% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 360 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8%Best | 30.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -84.0% | -83.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 27.3 years | $4,127 | $300,149Best |
| Fund Family | MFS Investment Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 21, 1988 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 78 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CIF has data through Jun 18, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 27.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Jun 18, 2026 (27.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.7% compared with 19.8% for CIF. 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 -84.0% for CIF 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CIF charges 2.05% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $205 vs $18 annually, a gap of $187 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CIF currently yields 9.78% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 285 holdings in CIF and 102 in QQQ, totalling 117.8% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 158 days apart, CIF as of Feb 28, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 285 positions we hold weights for in CIF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 360 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CIF 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, CIF or QQQ?
CIF has an expense ratio of 2.05% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $187 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CIF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.7% annualized versus 19.8% for CIF. Worst drawdown: CIF -84.0% vs QQQ -83.0%.
Should I hold both CIF and QQQ?
CIF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, CIF or QQQ?
CIF yields 9.78% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so CIF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CIF?
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.