EPIN vs QQQ
Harbor International Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EPIN or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. EPIN led over 1Y, QQQ over the full window. EPIN is less concentrated, with 29.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | EPIN | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.63% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 137 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +22.03% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | +28.77%Best | +24.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +29.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 19.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.6%Best | -12.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.3 years | $14,197 | $14,284Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 29.5%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 4, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 5, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.3 years).
EPIN 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 1.3 years both funds cover.
EPIN vs QQQ Performance
Harbor International Equity ETF (EPIN) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EPIN returned +28.77% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, EPIN is up 22.03% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 14.9% for EPIN. 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 -11.6% for EPIN and -12.0% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EPIN charges 0.80% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $18 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EPIN currently yields 0.63% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
3.1% of EPIN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings EPIN also owns.
EPIN and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in EPIN and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 137 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EPIN (97.8% of the fund), and 6 for EPIN that do not appear in QQQ (8.4%).
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
| Stock | Weight in EPIN | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Nv | 3.12% | 0.69% | 2.43% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EPIN 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, EPIN or QQQ?
EPIN has an expense ratio of 0.80% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EPIN or QQQ?
Over the past year EPIN returned +28.77% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so EPIN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), EPIN annualized +30.94% vs +31.56% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EPIN or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 14.9% for EPIN. Worst drawdown: EPIN -11.6% vs QQQ -12.0%.
Should I hold both EPIN and QQQ?
EPIN 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 EPIN and QQQ?
3.1% of EPIN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.7% of QQQ's is in holdings EPIN also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in EPIN and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, EPIN or QQQ?
EPIN yields 0.63% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so EPIN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EPIN?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. EPIN led over 1Y, QQQ over the full window. EPIN is less concentrated, with 29.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.