HEWJ vs QQQ
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HEWJ or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HEWJ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 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 | HEWJ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $646M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.01% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 30 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +25.76%Best | +22.67% |
| 1Y Return | +42.09%Best | +24.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.05%Best | +29.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.76%Best | +17.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.8%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.1%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $27,879Best | $21,924 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 31, 2014 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 4, 2014 to Oct 2, 2026 (12.7 years).
HEWJ 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 12.7 years both funds cover.
HEWJ vs QQQ Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI Japan ETF (HEWJ) 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 HEWJ returned +42.09% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, HEWJ is up 25.76% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, HEWJ compounded at +30.05% per year against +29.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +22.76% and +17.00% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.09% annualized vs +13.04%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.8% for HEWJ. 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 -34.1% for HEWJ 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 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HEWJ charges 0.49% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $18 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HEWJ currently yields 4.01% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 2 holdings in HEWJ and 102 in QQQ, totalling 104.5% 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 HEWJ and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 30 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HEWJ 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, HEWJ or QQQ?
HEWJ has an expense ratio of 0.49% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HEWJ or QQQ?
Over the past year HEWJ returned +42.09% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so HEWJ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), HEWJ annualized +13.04% vs +19.09% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HEWJ or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.8% for HEWJ. Worst drawdown: HEWJ -34.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HEWJ and QQQ?
HEWJ and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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, HEWJ or QQQ?
HEWJ yields 4.01% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so HEWJ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HEWJ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HEWJ led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.