CRED vs QQQ
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CRED or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
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 | CRED | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.33% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.15% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 67 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0% | 17.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -17.6%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $11,425 | $22,110Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2023 | 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 56 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CRED has data through Jul 24, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2023 to Jul 24, 2026 (3.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CRED has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 17.7% 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 -17.6% for CRED 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
CRED charges 0.33% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $33 vs $18 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CRED currently yields 6.15% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CRED 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, CRED or QQQ?
CRED has an expense ratio of 0.33% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CRED or QQQ?
CRED has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 17.7% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: CRED -17.6% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both CRED and QQQ?
CRED 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, CRED or QQQ?
CRED yields 6.15% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so CRED currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CRED?
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.