DIA vs QQQ
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DIA or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
DIA has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.9%.
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 | DIA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $44.6B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.38% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 31 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +6.84% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.51% | +24.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.58% | +29.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.40% | +17.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 30.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.8%Best | -83.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,400 | $21,924Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.9% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 14, 1998 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Oct 2, 2026 (27.6 years).
DIA 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 27.6 years both funds cover.
DIA vs QQQ Performance
State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DIA returned +11.51% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, DIA is up 6.84% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, DIA compounded at +17.58% per year against +29.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.40% and +17.00% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.18% annualized vs +6.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.5% compared with 14.7% for DIA. 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 -53.8% for DIA and -83.0% 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 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DIA charges 0.16% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $18 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DIA currently yields 1.38% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
27.5% of DIA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 35.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings DIA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
9 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 31 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 30 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 87 positions DIA does not, 62.6% of the fund.
Largest: MU 4.85%, AMD 3.71%, META 3.07%, GOOG 2.93%, TSLA 2.92%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in DIA | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 3.75% | 7.80% | 4.05% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.59% | 5.88% | 0.29% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.46% | 8.45% | 5.99% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.90% | 4.41% | 1.51% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.82% | 3.15% | 0.67% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 4.26% | 0.90% | 3.36% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.21% | 2.31% | 1.10% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.26% | 1.95% | 0.69% |
| HONHoneywell International Inc | 2.28% | 0.28% | 2.00% |
35.1% of QQQ is already inside DIA.
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, DIA or QQQ?
DIA has an expense ratio of 0.16% while QQQ charges 0.18%. DIA is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DIA or QQQ?
Over the past year DIA returned +11.51% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), DIA annualized +6.56% vs +13.18% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DIA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.5% annualized versus 14.7% for DIA. Worst drawdown: DIA -53.8% vs QQQ -83.0%.
Should I hold both DIA and QQQ?
DIA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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 DIA and QQQ?
35.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings DIA also owns. 35.1% of QQQ's is in holdings DIA also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in DIA and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, DIA or QQQ?
DIA yields 1.38% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so DIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DIA?
DIA has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.