DBC vs QQQ
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DBC or QQQ?
Commodities against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DBC led over 1Y, QQQ over 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 | DBC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.84% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.9B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 62 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +47.07%Best | +17.95% |
| 1Y Return | +51.69%Best | +21.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.79% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.45% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.4% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,637 | $20,324Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 3, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 3, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.6 years).
DBC 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
DBC vs QQQ Performance
Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (DBC) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DBC returned +51.69% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, DBC is up 47.07% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, DBC compounded at +13.79% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.45% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.11% annualized vs +2.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DBC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 18.5% 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 -76.4% for DBC and -53.5% 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 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBC charges 0.84% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $84 vs $18 annually, a gap of $66 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DBC currently yields 2.38% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in DBC and 102 in QQQ, totalling 98.8% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in DBC and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 62 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DBC 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, DBC or QQQ?
DBC has an expense ratio of 0.84% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $66 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DBC or QQQ?
Over the past year DBC returned +51.69% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so DBC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), DBC annualized +2.60% vs +15.11% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBC or QQQ?
DBC has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 18.5% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: DBC -76.4% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both DBC and QQQ?
DBC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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, DBC or QQQ?
DBC yields 2.38% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DBC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DBC?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DBC led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.