GLU vs QQQ
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GLU or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth 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 | GLU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.40% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $144M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.40% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 272 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -3.62% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.15% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.86% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.84% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 18.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -64.9% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,666 | $20,324Best |
| Fund Family | Gabelli Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 25, 2004 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2004 to Sep 18, 2026 (22.3 years).
GLU 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.
GLU vs QQQ Performance
The Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (GLU) is an ETF from Gabelli Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year GLU returned +6.15% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, GLU is down 3.62% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, GLU compounded at +16.86% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.84% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.52% annualized vs +1.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 17.6% for GLU. 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 -64.9% for GLU 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLU charges 1.40% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $140 vs $18 annually, a gap of $122 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GLU currently yields 6.40% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 27.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings GLU also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for GLU, our book for it lists positions totalling 116.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
QQQ and GLU share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 127 days apart, GLU as of Mar 31, 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.
14 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in GLU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 272 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GLU | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.04% | 8.44% | 8.40% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 0.03% | 5.76% | 5.73% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.26% | 3.45% | 3.19% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.24% | 3.16% | 2.92% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 2.17% | 0.30% | 1.87% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.07% | 2.10% | 2.03% |
| XELXcel Energy Inc. | 1.22% | 0.21% | 1.01% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 0.01% | 1.12% | 1.11% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.04% | 1.00% | 0.96% |
| TMUST-Mobile Us Inc Com Usd0.00001 | 0.13% | 0.82% | 0.69% |
27.5% of QQQ is already inside GLU.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GLU or QQQ?
GLU has an expense ratio of 1.40% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $122 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GLU or QQQ?
Over the past year GLU returned +6.15% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), GLU annualized +1.30% vs +14.52% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLU or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 17.6% for GLU. Worst drawdown: GLU -64.9% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both GLU and QQQ?
GLU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 GLU and QQQ?
At least 27.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings GLU also owns. Our book for GLU is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 257 positions we hold weights for in GLU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, GLU or QQQ?
GLU yields 6.40% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so GLU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GLU?
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.