CSF vs QQQ
VictoryShares US Discovery Enhanced Volatility Wtd ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CSF or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend 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 | CSF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.41% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 508 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 10.7 years | $16,889 | $49,125Best |
| Fund Family | Victory Capital Management Inc. | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 31, 2014 | 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 518 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CSF has data through Apr 23, 2025 and QQQ through Sep 23, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 1, 2014 to Apr 23, 2025 (10.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 16.1% for CSF. 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 -35.9% for CSF 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 0.53. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSF charges 0.41% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $41 vs $18 annually, a gap of $23 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSF currently yields 1.51% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CSF 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, CSF or QQQ?
CSF has an expense ratio of 0.41% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $23 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CSF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 16.1% for CSF. Worst drawdown: CSF -35.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both CSF and QQQ?
CSF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.53, 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, CSF or QQQ?
CSF yields 1.51% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so CSF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CSF?
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.