EFAX vs QQQ
State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EFAX 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. EFAX is less concentrated, with 14.6% 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 | EFAX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $510M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.06% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 658 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +8.76% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.72% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.43% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.76% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.2% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,531 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.6%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 24, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (9.9 years).
EFAX 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 9.9 years both funds cover.
EFAX vs QQQ Performance
State Street SPDR MSCI EAFE Fossil Fuel Reserves Free ETF (EFAX) 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 EFAX returned +15.72% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, EFAX is up 8.76% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, EFAX compounded at +17.43% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.76% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.18% annualized vs +7.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 15.2% for EFAX. 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 -36.2% for EFAX 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EFAX charges 0.20% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $18 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EFAX currently yields 3.06% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
3.7% of EFAX's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings EFAX also owns.
EFAX and QQQ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFAX and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 658 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EFAX (96.4% of the fund), and 14 for EFAX 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.
Top Shared Holdings
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EFAX 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, EFAX or QQQ?
EFAX has an expense ratio of 0.20% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EFAX or QQQ?
Over the past year EFAX returned +15.72% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), EFAX annualized +7.82% vs +20.18% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EFAX or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 15.2% for EFAX. Worst drawdown: EFAX -36.2% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both EFAX and QQQ?
EFAX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 EFAX and QQQ?
3.7% of EFAX's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.8% of QQQ's is in holdings EFAX also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 631 positions we hold weights for in EFAX and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, EFAX or QQQ?
EFAX yields 3.06% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so EFAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EFAX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EFAX is less concentrated, with 14.6% 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.