CWS vs QQQ
AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CWS or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%.
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 | CWS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $130M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.29% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 27 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -0.64% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.29% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.34% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.37% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2%Best | 19.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.8%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,270 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.9% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Advisor Shares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (10 years).
CWS 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 10 years both funds cover.
CWS vs QQQ Performance
AdvisorShares Focused Equity ETF (CWS) is an ETF from Advisor Shares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CWS returned -0.29% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, CWS is down 0.64% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, CWS compounded at +8.34% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.37% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.08% annualized vs +11.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 16.2% for CWS. 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 -33.8% for CWS 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CWS charges 0.65% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $18 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CWS currently yields 0.29% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
4.6% of CWS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings CWS also owns.
CWS and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in CWS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 27 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 26 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 93 positions CWS does not, 96.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.44%, AAPL 7.27%, MSFT 5.76%, AMZN 4.67%, MU 4.43%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CWS 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, CWS or QQQ?
CWS has an expense ratio of 0.65% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CWS or QQQ?
Over the past year CWS returned -0.29% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), CWS annualized +11.05% vs +20.08% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CWS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 16.2% for CWS. Worst drawdown: CWS -33.8% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both CWS and QQQ?
CWS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 CWS and QQQ?
4.6% of CWS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.8% of QQQ's is in holdings CWS also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in CWS and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CWS or QQQ?
CWS yields 0.29% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CWS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.