HIMU vs QQQ
iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HIMU or QQQ?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | HIMU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.39% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.27% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 909 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -3.98% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.66% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.1%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.0%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $9,674 | $13,728Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 7, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 10, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
HIMU 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
HIMU vs QQQ Performance
iShares High Yield Muni Active ETF (HIMU) 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 HIMU returned -3.66% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, HIMU is down 3.98% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 6.1% for HIMU. 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 -8.0% for HIMU and -22.8% 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HIMU charges 0.39% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $39 vs $18 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HIMU currently yields 5.27% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 217 holdings in HIMU and 102 in QQQ, totalling 37.2% 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 217 positions we hold weights for in HIMU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 909 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HIMU 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, HIMU or QQQ?
HIMU has an expense ratio of 0.39% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HIMU or QQQ?
Over the past year HIMU returned -3.66% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), HIMU annualized -2.05% vs +21.90% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HIMU or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 6.1% for HIMU. Worst drawdown: HIMU -8.0% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both HIMU and QQQ?
HIMU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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, HIMU or QQQ?
HIMU yields 5.27% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so HIMU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HIMU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.