EMCS vs QQQ
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Select ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EMCS or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
EMCS has a lower expense ratio. EMCS led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.6%.
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 | EMCS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $1.0B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 67 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +26.22%Best | +15.86% |
| 1Y Return | +42.49%Best | +22.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.20%Best | +24.15% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.61% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -44.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,113 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.6% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 4, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 6, 2018 to Sep 10, 2026 (7.8 years).
EMCS 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 7.8 years both funds cover.
EMCS vs QQQ Performance
Xtrackers MSCI Emerging Markets Select ETF (EMCS) is an ETF from Xtrackers ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EMCS returned +42.49% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, EMCS is up 26.22% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, EMCS compounded at +27.20% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.61% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.98% annualized vs +10.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 19.1% for EMCS. 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 -44.9% for EMCS 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMCS charges 0.15% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $18 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMCS currently yields 1.61% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
0.7% of EMCS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings EMCS also owns.
QQQ and EMCS share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in EMCS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 67 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EMCS (94.3% of the fund), and 2 for EMCS that do not appear in QQQ (2.3%).
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 EMCS 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, EMCS or QQQ?
EMCS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while QQQ charges 0.18%. EMCS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMCS or QQQ?
Over the past year EMCS returned +42.49% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so EMCS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), EMCS annualized +10.18% vs +20.98% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMCS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 19.1% for EMCS. Worst drawdown: EMCS -44.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both EMCS and QQQ?
EMCS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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 EMCS and QQQ?
3.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings EMCS also owns. 3.0% of QQQ's is in holdings EMCS also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 63 positions we hold weights for in EMCS and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMCS or QQQ?
EMCS yields 1.61% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so EMCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EMCS?
EMCS has a lower expense ratio. EMCS led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.