DBEU vs QQQ
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DBEU 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. DBEU is less concentrated, with 20.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | DBEU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $787M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.39% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 410 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +9.69% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.81% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.02% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.37% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7%Best | 18.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.5%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,133 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 1, 2013 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 1, 2013 to Sep 10, 2026 (12.9 years).
DBEU 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
DBEU vs QQQ Performance
Xtrackers MSCI Europe Hedged Equity ETF (DBEU) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DBEU returned +19.81% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, DBEU is up 9.69% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, DBEU compounded at +16.02% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.37% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.69% annualized vs +9.63%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 12.7% for DBEU. 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 -34.5% for DBEU 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DBEU 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, DBEU currently yields 1.39% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
4.9% of DBEU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings DBEU also owns.
DBEU and QQQ share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 390 positions we hold weights for in DBEU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 410 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for DBEU (96.8% of the fund), and 2 for DBEU that do not appear in QQQ (0.7%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DBEU 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, DBEU or QQQ?
DBEU 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, DBEU or QQQ?
Over the past year DBEU returned +19.81% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), DBEU annualized +9.63% vs +18.69% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DBEU or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 12.7% for DBEU. Worst drawdown: DBEU -34.5% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both DBEU and QQQ?
DBEU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 DBEU and QQQ?
4.9% of DBEU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.1% of QQQ's is in holdings DBEU also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 390 positions we hold weights for in DBEU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, DBEU or QQQ?
DBEU yields 1.39% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DBEU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DBEU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DBEU is less concentrated, with 20.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.