HEEM vs QQQ
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HEEM or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HEEM led over 1Y, QQQ over 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 | HEEM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $288M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.72% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 1,327 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +16.37%Best | +15.21% |
| 1Y Return | +24.93%Best | +19.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.88% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.21% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.5%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,535 | $19,195Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2014 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2014 to Sep 16, 2026 (12 years).
HEEM 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 12 years both funds cover.
HEEM vs QQQ Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (HEEM) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HEEM returned +24.93% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, HEEM is up 16.37% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, HEEM compounded at +21.88% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.21% and +13.93% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.25% annualized vs +7.56%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.1% for HEEM. 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 -33.5% for HEEM 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEEM charges 0.72% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $18 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEEM currently yields 1.72% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HEEM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 2 positions we hold weights for in HEEM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 1,327 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEEM 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, HEEM or QQQ?
HEEM has an expense ratio of 0.72% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEEM or QQQ?
Over the past year HEEM returned +24.93% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so HEEM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), HEEM annualized +7.56% vs +18.25% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEEM or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.1% for HEEM. Worst drawdown: HEEM -33.5% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HEEM and QQQ?
HEEM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, HEEM or QQQ?
HEEM yields 1.72% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so HEEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HEEM?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HEEM led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.