GDO vs QQQ
Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GDO or QQQ?
Long Term Low Quality against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | GDO | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.20% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $83M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.15% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 326 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -8.09% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.49% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.70% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.60% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.7%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.8% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,225 | $19,586Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Low Quality | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 24, 2009 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 24, 2009 to Sep 11, 2026 (16.8 years).
GDO 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
GDO vs QQQ Performance
Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (GDO) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year GDO returned -5.49% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, GDO is down 8.09% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, GDO compounded at +5.70% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -1.60% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.28% annualized vs -0.74%.
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 12.7% for GDO. 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 -41.8% for GDO 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 0.59. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GDO charges 1.20% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $120 vs $18 annually, a gap of $102 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GDO currently yields 13.15% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 213 holdings in GDO and 102 in QQQ, totalling 79.2% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 187 days apart, GDO as of Jan 30, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 213 positions we hold weights for in GDO and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 326 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GDO 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, GDO or QQQ?
GDO has an expense ratio of 1.20% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $102 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GDO or QQQ?
Over the past year GDO returned -5.49% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), GDO annualized -0.74% vs +18.28% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GDO or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 12.7% for GDO. Worst drawdown: GDO -41.8% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both GDO and QQQ?
GDO and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.59, 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, GDO or QQQ?
GDO yields 13.15% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so GDO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GDO?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.