DNL vs QQQ
WisdomTree Global ex-US Quality Growth Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DNL or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DNL is less concentrated, with 37.7% 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 | DNL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.42% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $493M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.32% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 202 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +8.03% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.29% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.82% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.14% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.4%Best | 18.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.9%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,672 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | WisdomTree Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 16, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 16, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (20.2 years).
DNL 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.
DNL vs QQQ Performance
WisdomTree Global ex-US Quality Growth Fund (DNL) is an ETF from WisdomTree Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DNL returned +13.29% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, DNL is up 8.03% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, DNL compounded at +10.82% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +3.14% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.74% annualized vs +3.60%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 16.4% for DNL. 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 -46.9% for DNL 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DNL charges 0.42% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $42 vs $18 annually, a gap of $24 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DNL currently yields 1.32% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
10.3% of DNL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings DNL also owns.
DNL and QQQ share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in DNL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 202 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for DNL (97.0% of the fund), and 6 for DNL that do not appear in QQQ (1.9%).
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 DNL 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, DNL or QQQ?
DNL has an expense ratio of 0.42% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $24 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DNL or QQQ?
Over the past year DNL returned +13.29% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DNL annualized +3.60% vs +15.74% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DNL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 16.4% for DNL. Worst drawdown: DNL -46.9% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both DNL and QQQ?
DNL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 DNL and QQQ?
10.3% of DNL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of QQQ's is in holdings DNL also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in DNL and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, DNL or QQQ?
DNL yields 1.32% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DNL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DNL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. DNL is less concentrated, with 37.7% 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.