GSLC vs QQQ
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Large Cap Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GSLC or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
GSLC has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. GSLC is less concentrated, with 30.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | GSLC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $15.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.92% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 438 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.62% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.89% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.95% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.65% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.9%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.7%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,350 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.2%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Goldman Sachs Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 17, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2015 to Sep 11, 2026 (11 years).
GSLC 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 11 years both funds cover.
GSLC vs QQQ Performance
Goldman Sachs ActiveBeta US Large Cap Equity ETF (GSLC) is an ETF from Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year GSLC returned +13.89% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, GSLC is up 10.62% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, GSLC compounded at +19.95% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.65% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.38% annualized vs +13.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 14.9% for GSLC. 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 -33.7% for GSLC 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 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GSLC charges 0.09% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $18 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, GSLC currently yields 0.92% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
41.6% of GSLC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 69.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings GSLC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
74 positions in common, counted across the 347 positions we hold weights for in GSLC and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 438 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 21 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for GSLC (27.4% of the fund), and 267 for GSLC that do not appear in QQQ (56.5%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in GSLC | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 9.86% | 8.44% | 1.42% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.67% | 4.67% | 1.00% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.62% | 3.16% | 0.46% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.11% | 4.43% | 2.32% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 2.75% | 2.78% | 0.03% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 1.14% | 3.45% | 2.31% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.37% | 2.56% | 1.19% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.80% | 2.10% | 1.30% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 0.98% | 1.86% | 0.88% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp 3.125 06/15/2060 | 1.14% | 1.69% | 0.55% |
69.7% of QQQ is already inside GSLC.
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, GSLC or QQQ?
GSLC has an expense ratio of 0.09% while QQQ charges 0.18%. GSLC is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, GSLC or QQQ?
Over the past year GSLC returned +13.89% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), GSLC annualized +13.17% vs +19.38% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GSLC or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 14.9% for GSLC. Worst drawdown: GSLC -33.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both GSLC and QQQ?
GSLC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between GSLC and QQQ?
69.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings GSLC also owns. 69.7% of QQQ's is in holdings GSLC also owns. They hold 74 positions in common, counted across the 347 positions we hold weights for in GSLC and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, GSLC or QQQ?
GSLC yields 0.92% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so GSLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GSLC?
GSLC has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. GSLC is less concentrated, with 30.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.