EZU vs QQQ
iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EZU 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. EZU is less concentrated, with 30.0% 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 | EZU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $9.6B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.61% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 223 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +3.06% | +24.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.81% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.68% | +28.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.64% | +16.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.0%Best | 21.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -69.8%Best | -70.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,843 | $21,766Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.0%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 25, 2000 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2001 to Oct 6, 2026 (25.8 years).
EZU 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 25.8 years both funds cover.
EZU vs QQQ Performance
iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU) 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 EZU returned +7.81% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, EZU is up 3.06% versus a gain of 24.32% for QQQ.
Over three years, EZU compounded at +19.68% per year against +28.30% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.64% and +16.83% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +11.00% annualized vs +5.21%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% compared with 21.0% for EZU. 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 -69.8% for EZU and -70.4% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EZU charges 0.50% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $18 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EZU currently yields 2.61% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
0.9% of EZU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings EZU also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
2 positions in common, counted across the 216 positions we hold weights for in EZU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 223 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EZU (97.8% of the fund), and 9 for EZU that do not appear in QQQ (3.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EZU 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, EZU or QQQ?
EZU has an expense ratio of 0.50% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EZU or QQQ?
Over the past year EZU returned +7.81% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), EZU annualized +5.21% vs +11.00% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EZU or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 21.0% for EZU. Worst drawdown: EZU -69.8% vs QQQ -70.4%.
Should I hold both EZU and QQQ?
EZU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, EZU or QQQ?
EZU yields 2.61% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so EZU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EZU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. EZU is less concentrated, with 30.0% 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.