EQL vs QQQ
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EQL 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. EQL is less concentrated, with 23.0% 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 | EQL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $768M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.36% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 12 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +11.96% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.40% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.15% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.58% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.4% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,534 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2009 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 7, 2009 to Sep 4, 2026 (17.2 years).
EQL 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 17.2 years both funds cover.
EQL vs QQQ Performance
ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF (EQL) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EQL returned +16.40% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, EQL is up 11.96% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, EQL compounded at +16.15% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.58% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.58% annualized vs +12.03%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 13.6% for EQL. 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 -36.4% for EQL 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EQL charges 0.19% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $19 vs $18 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EQL currently yields 1.36% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
32.0% of EQL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 92.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings EQL also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside EQL. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
90 positions in common, counted across the 497 positions we hold weights for in EQL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 12 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 6 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EQL (4.8% of the fund), and 397 for EQL that do not appear in QQQ (66.8%).
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 EQL | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 1.91% | 8.44% | 6.53% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.64% | 7.27% | 5.63% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.67% | 4.67% | 1.00% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 4.92% | 3.36% | 1.56% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 1.33% | 5.76% | 4.43% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.40% | 4.43% | 4.03% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.69% | 2.78% | 1.09% |
| TSLATesla Motors Inc | 1.42% | 2.56% | 1.14% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.49% | 2.41% | 0.92% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.67% | 3.16% | 2.49% |
92.7% of QQQ is already inside EQL.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, EQL or QQQ?
EQL has an expense ratio of 0.19% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EQL or QQQ?
Over the past year EQL returned +16.40% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), EQL annualized +12.03% vs +19.58% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EQL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 13.6% for EQL. Worst drawdown: EQL -36.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both EQL and QQQ?
EQL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 EQL and QQQ?
92.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings EQL also owns. 92.7% of QQQ's is in holdings EQL also owns. They hold 90 positions in common, counted across the 497 positions we hold weights for in EQL and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, EQL or QQQ?
EQL yields 1.36% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so EQL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EQL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EQL is less concentrated, with 23.0% 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.