GLD vs QQQ
SPDR Gold Shares vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GLD or QQQ?
Gold against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. GLD led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ 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 | GLD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $146.4B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 1 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +0.02% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.22% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.49%Best | +25.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.46%Best | +14.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.6%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,328Best | $19,766 |
| Fund Family | SPDR State Street Global Advisors | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 18, 2004 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 18, 2004 to Sep 17, 2026 (21.8 years).
GLD 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 21.8 years both funds cover.
GLD vs QQQ Performance
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an ETF from SPDR State Street Global Advisors and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year GLD returned +18.22% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, GLD is up 0.02% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, GLD compounded at +30.49% per year against +25.27% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +19.46% and +14.60% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.40% annualized vs +10.58%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 17.2% for GLD. 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 -45.6% for GLD 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 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLD charges 0.40% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $18 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLD currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLD 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, GLD or QQQ?
GLD has an expense ratio of 0.40% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLD or QQQ?
Over the past year GLD returned +18.22% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), GLD annualized +10.58% vs +14.40% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLD or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 17.2% for GLD. Worst drawdown: GLD -45.6% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both GLD and QQQ?
GLD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, 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, GLD or QQQ?
GLD yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GLD?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. GLD led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.