HFXI vs QQQ
NYLIM FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HFXI or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HFXI led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HFXI is less concentrated, with 16.3% 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 | HFXI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.27% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 946 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +16.10% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.40%Best | +22.98% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.51% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.78% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.8%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -34.2%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,451 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.3%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 22, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 22, 2015 to Sep 11, 2026 (11.1 years).
HFXI 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
HFXI vs QQQ Performance
NYLIM FTSE International Equity Currency Neutral ETF (HFXI) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HFXI returned +26.40% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, HFXI is up 16.10% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, HFXI compounded at +20.51% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.78% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.39% annualized vs +7.78%.
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 13.8% for HFXI. 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 -34.2% for HFXI 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HFXI charges 0.20% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $18 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HFXI currently yields 3.27% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
2.5% of HFXI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings HFXI also owns.
HFXI and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 742 positions we hold weights for in HFXI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 946 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for HFXI (97.0% of the fund), and 23 for HFXI that do not appear in QQQ (8.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HFXI 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, HFXI or QQQ?
HFXI has an expense ratio of 0.20% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HFXI or QQQ?
Over the past year HFXI returned +26.40% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so HFXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HFXI annualized +7.78% vs +18.39% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HFXI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 13.8% for HFXI. Worst drawdown: HFXI -34.2% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HFXI and QQQ?
HFXI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 HFXI and QQQ?
2.5% of HFXI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.9% of QQQ's is in holdings HFXI also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 742 positions we hold weights for in HFXI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, HFXI or QQQ?
HFXI yields 3.27% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so HFXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HFXI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. HFXI led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HFXI is less concentrated, with 16.3% 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.