EMLP vs QQQ
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EMLP or QQQ?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. EMLP led over 5Y, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y 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 | EMLP | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.76% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 116 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +16.16% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.85% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.79% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.15%Best | +14.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.0% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,140Best | $19,586 |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2012 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 21, 2012 to Sep 11, 2026 (14.2 years).
EMLP 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 14.2 years both funds cover.
EMLP vs QQQ Performance
First Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund (EMLP) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EMLP returned +18.85% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, EMLP is up 16.16% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, EMLP compounded at +20.79% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +16.15% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.93% annualized vs +7.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.2% for EMLP. 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 -48.0% for EMLP 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMLP charges 0.95% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMLP currently yields 2.76% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings EMLP also owns.
Stated as a floor: for EMLP, our book for it covers 91.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and EMLP share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in EMLP and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 116 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EMLP 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, EMLP or QQQ?
EMLP has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMLP or QQQ?
Over the past year EMLP returned +18.85% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), EMLP annualized +7.14% vs +18.93% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMLP or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.2% for EMLP. Worst drawdown: EMLP -48.0% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both EMLP and QQQ?
EMLP and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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 EMLP and QQQ?
At least 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings EMLP also owns. Our book for EMLP is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 57 positions we hold weights for in EMLP and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, EMLP or QQQ?
EMLP yields 2.76% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so EMLP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EMLP?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. EMLP led over 5Y, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.