DSM vs QQQ

DSM vs QQQ

Which is better, DSM or QQQ?

Municipal Bond against Large Cap Growth.

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: QQQHigher Returns: QQQ

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

MetricDSMQQQ
Expense Ratio1.09%0.18%Best
AUM$362M$486.1B
Dividend Yield4.74%0.44%
Holdings231107
YTD Return-4.24%+17.54%Best
1Y Return+6.16%+25.59%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+6.49%+24.63%Best
5Y Return (annualized)-3.05%+14.18%Best
Volatility (annualized)13.0%Best30.6%
Max Drawdown-53.6%Best-83.0%
$10,000 over 5 years$8,565$19,407Best
Fund FamilyBNY Mellon Investment ManagementInvesco (US)
CategoryTax PreferredEquity
StyleMunicipal BondLarge Cap Growth
InceptionNov 22, 1989Mar 10, 1999

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Sep 4, 2026 (27.5 years).

DSM 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.

DSM vs QQQ Performance

BNY Mellon Strategic Municipal Bond Fund Inc (DSM) is an ETF from BNY Mellon Investment Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DSM returned +6.16% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, DSM is down 4.24% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.

Over three years, DSM compounded at +6.49% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -3.05% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs -0.88%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 13.0% for DSM. 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 -53.6% for DSM 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 0.15. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

DSM charges 1.09% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $109 vs $18 annually, a gap of $91 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DSM currently yields 4.74% against 0.44% for QQQ.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 104 holdings in DSM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 41.7% 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 104 positions we hold weights for in DSM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 231 and 107.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of DSM and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

DSMQQQ

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, DSM or QQQ?

DSM has an expense ratio of 1.09% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $91 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, DSM or QQQ?

Over the past year DSM returned +6.16% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), DSM annualized -0.88% vs +13.05% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, DSM or QQQ?

QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 13.0% for DSM. Worst drawdown: DSM -53.6% vs QQQ -83.0%.

Should I hold both DSM and QQQ?

DSM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.15, 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, DSM or QQQ?

DSM yields 4.74% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is QQQ better than DSM?

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.