EMD vs QQQ
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EMD or QQQ?
Emerging Markets Bond against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | EMD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.09% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $632M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.31% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 267 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -0.18% | +15.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.15% | +19.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.39% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.82% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3%Best | 18.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -64.5% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,062 | $19,195Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Emerging Markets Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 1, 2003 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 2, 2003 to Sep 16, 2026 (22.8 years).
EMD 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.
EMD vs QQQ Performance
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc (EMD) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EMD returned +6.15% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, EMD is down 0.18% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, EMD compounded at +16.39% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +3.82% and +13.93% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.14% annualized vs -0.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 17.3% for EMD. 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 -64.5% for EMD 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMD charges 3.09% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $309 vs $18 annually, a gap of $291 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMD currently yields 9.31% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 136 holdings in EMD and 102 in QQQ, totalling 71.2% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 127 days apart, EMD as of Mar 31, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 136 positions we hold weights for in EMD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 267 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMD 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, EMD or QQQ?
EMD has an expense ratio of 3.09% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $291 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMD or QQQ?
Over the past year EMD returned +6.15% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), EMD annualized -0.53% vs +14.14% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMD or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 17.3% for EMD. Worst drawdown: EMD -64.5% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both EMD and QQQ?
EMD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, EMD or QQQ?
EMD yields 9.31% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so EMD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EMD?
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.