CSM vs QQQ
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CSM or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | CSM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $530M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 308 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +11.40% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.24% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.30% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.26% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,829 | $19,407Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 13, 2009 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 14, 2009 to Sep 4, 2026 (17.1 years).
CSM 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 17.1 years both funds cover.
CSM vs QQQ Performance
ProShares Large Cap Core Plus (CSM) is an ETF from ProShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CSM returned +19.24% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, CSM is up 11.40% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, CSM compounded at +21.30% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.26% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.37% annualized vs +14.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 14.9% for CSM. 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 -36.1% for CSM 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CSM charges 0.45% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $18 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CSM currently yields 1.04% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 84.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings CSM also owns.
Stated as a floor: for CSM, our book for it covers 89.6% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of QQQ is already inside CSM. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
58 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in CSM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 308 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CSM | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 5.00% | 8.44% | 3.44% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.23% | 7.27% | 3.04% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 3.39% | 5.76% | 2.37% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.82% | 4.67% | 1.85% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.08% | 4.43% | 3.35% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 1.84% | 3.36% | 1.52% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.79% | 3.16% | 1.37% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 1.42% | 3.13% | 1.71% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.69% | 3.45% | 2.76% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.28% | 2.78% | 1.50% |
84.2% of QQQ is already inside CSM.
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, CSM or QQQ?
CSM has an expense ratio of 0.45% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CSM or QQQ?
Over the past year CSM returned +19.24% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), CSM annualized +14.88% vs +19.37% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CSM or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 14.9% for CSM. Worst drawdown: CSM -36.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both CSM and QQQ?
CSM 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 CSM and QQQ?
At least 84.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings CSM also owns. Our book for CSM is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 58 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in CSM and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CSM or QQQ?
CSM yields 1.04% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so CSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CSM?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.