HOLD vs QQQ
Harbor Alpha Layering ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HOLD or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend 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 | HOLD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.93% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 20 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +5.69% | +15.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.13% | +19.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +24.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.93% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 21.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.5%Best | -12.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $11,549 | $12,234Best |
| Fund Family | Harbor Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 13, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 14, 2025 to Sep 16, 2026 (1.1 years).
HOLD 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
HOLD vs QQQ Performance
Harbor Alpha Layering ETF (HOLD) is an ETF from Harbor Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HOLD returned +12.13% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, HOLD is up 5.69% versus a gain of 15.21% 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 21.5% compared with 15.1% for HOLD. 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 -9.5% for HOLD and -12.0% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HOLD charges 0.70% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $18 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HOLD currently yields 6.93% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in HOLD and 102 in QQQ, totalling 95.4% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in HOLD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 20 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HOLD 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, HOLD or QQQ?
HOLD has an expense ratio of 0.70% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HOLD or QQQ?
Over the past year HOLD returned +12.13% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), HOLD annualized +13.99% vs +20.12% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HOLD or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 15.1% for HOLD. Worst drawdown: HOLD -9.5% vs QQQ -12.0%.
Should I hold both HOLD and QQQ?
HOLD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, HOLD or QQQ?
HOLD yields 6.93% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so HOLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HOLD?
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.