GBF vs QQQ
iShares Government/Credit Bond ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GBF or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | GBF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $107M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 3,287 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | - | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.1%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.2 years | $9,790 | $20,475Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 5, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 21 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. GBF has data through Aug 31, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 21, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2023 to Aug 31, 2026 (3.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -2.1% for GBF and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GBF charges 0.20% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $18 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GBF currently yields 3.82% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings GBF also owns.
Stated as a floor: for GBF, our book for it covers 83.5% 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 GBF share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 3,068 positions we hold weights for in GBF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 3,287 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GBF 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, GBF or QQQ?
GBF has an expense ratio of 0.20% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between GBF and QQQ?
At least 1.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings GBF also owns. Our book for GBF is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 3,068 positions we hold weights for in GBF and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, GBF or QQQ?
GBF yields 3.82% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so GBF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GBF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.