DEFR vs QQQ
Aptus Deferred Income ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DEFR or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
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 | DEFR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $148M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 10 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -2.10% | +22.09%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.89% | +24.51%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +27.61% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.6%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0%Best | -12.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $10,458 | $14,435Best |
| Fund Family | Aptus Capital Advisors | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 13, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 14, 2025 to Oct 12, 2026 (1.4 years).
DEFR 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
DEFR vs QQQ Performance
Aptus Deferred Income ETF (DEFR) is an ETF from Aptus Capital Advisors and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DEFR returned -0.89% while QQQ returned +24.51%. Year to date, DEFR is down 2.10% versus a gain of 22.09% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 4.6% for DEFR. 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 -5.0% for DEFR and -12.0% 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 0.20. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DEFR charges 0.79% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $18 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DEFR currently yields 0.00% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DEFR 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, DEFR or QQQ?
DEFR has an expense ratio of 0.79% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DEFR or QQQ?
Over the past year DEFR returned -0.89% vs +24.51% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), DEFR annualized +3.25% vs +29.98% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DEFR or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 4.6% for DEFR. Worst drawdown: DEFR -5.0% vs QQQ -12.0%.
Should I hold both DEFR and QQQ?
DEFR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.20, 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, DEFR or QQQ?
DEFR yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DEFR?
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.