EXI vs QQQ
iShares Global Industrials ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EXI 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. EXI is less concentrated, with 24.0% 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 | EXI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.07% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 238 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.12% | +17.11%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.75% | +23.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.97% | +24.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.33% | +14.23%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.7% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.9% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,103 | $19,449Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 24.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2006 to Sep 9, 2026 (20 years).
EXI 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 20 years both funds cover.
EXI vs QQQ Performance
iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EXI returned +16.75% while QQQ returned +23.99%. Year to date, EXI is up 10.12% versus a gain of 17.11% for QQQ.
Over three years, EXI compounded at +19.97% per year against +24.62% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.33% and +14.23% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.71% annualized vs +7.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 18.6% for QQQ. 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 -63.9% for EXI 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EXI charges 0.38% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $18 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EXI currently yields 1.07% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
7.1% of EXI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings EXI also owns.
EXI and QQQ share little of their money.
13 positions in common, counted across the 219 positions we hold weights for in EXI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 238 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 84 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EXI (93.9% of the fund), and 74 for EXI that do not appear in QQQ (50.0%).
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 EXI | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing Inc. | 1.03% | 0.47% | 0.56% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.90% | 0.42% | 0.48% |
| HONHoneywell International Inc. | 0.75% | 0.35% | 0.40% |
| CTASCintas Corp. | 0.65% | 0.35% | 0.30% |
| PCARPaccar Inc. | 0.67% | 0.31% | 0.36% |
| HONAHoneywell Aerospace Inc | 0.62% | 0.28% | 0.34% |
| FASTFastenal Co. | 0.55% | 0.25% | 0.30% |
| AXONAxon Enterprise Inc | 0.47% | 0.22% | 0.25% |
| ODFLOld Dominion Freig | 0.38% | 0.20% | 0.18% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 0.36% | 0.19% | 0.17% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EXI 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, EXI or QQQ?
EXI has an expense ratio of 0.38% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EXI or QQQ?
Over the past year EXI returned +16.75% vs +23.99% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), EXI annualized +7.42% vs +15.71% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EXI or QQQ?
EXI has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: EXI -63.9% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both EXI and QQQ?
EXI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 EXI and QQQ?
7.1% of EXI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.5% of QQQ's is in holdings EXI also owns. They hold 13 positions in common, counted across the 219 positions we hold weights for in EXI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, EXI or QQQ?
EXI yields 1.07% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so EXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EXI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EXI is less concentrated, with 24.0% 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.