HACK vs QQQ
Amplify Cybersecurity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HACK or QQQ?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HACK led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.1%.
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 | HACK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.05% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 25 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +56.48%Best | +21.18% |
| 1Y Return | +42.71%Best | +24.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +34.54%Best | +27.99% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.17% | +15.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,398 | $20,457Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.1% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Amplify ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 11, 2014 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2014 to Sep 23, 2026 (11.9 years).
HACK 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 11.9 years both funds cover.
HACK vs QQQ Performance
Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HACK returned +42.71% while QQQ returned +24.36%. Year to date, HACK is up 56.48% versus a gain of 21.18% for QQQ.
Over three years, HACK compounded at +34.54% per year against +27.99% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.17% and +15.39% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.48% annualized vs +14.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
HACK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 18.6% for QQQ. 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 -42.7% for HACK 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HACK charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HACK currently yields 0.05% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
28.2% of HACK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 8.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings HACK also owns.
HACK and QQQ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in HACK and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 25 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for HACK (89.5% of the fund), and 17 for HACK that do not appear in QQQ (65.2%).
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.
28.2% of HACK is already inside QQQ.
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, HACK or QQQ?
HACK has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HACK or QQQ?
Over the past year HACK returned +42.71% vs +24.36% for QQQ, so HACK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), HACK annualized +14.90% vs +18.48% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HACK or QQQ?
HACK has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: HACK -42.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HACK and QQQ?
HACK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 HACK and QQQ?
28.2% of HACK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 8.0% of QQQ's is in holdings HACK also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in HACK and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, HACK or QQQ?
HACK yields 0.05% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HACK?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HACK led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.