HUSV vs QQQ
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HUSV or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HUSV is less concentrated, with 26.7% 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 | HUSV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 204 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +6.20% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.25% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.44% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.60% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.2%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,132 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 26.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 24, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 25, 2016 to Sep 4, 2026 (10 years).
HUSV 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 10 years both funds cover.
HUSV vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Horizon Managed Volatility Domestic ETF (HUSV) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HUSV returned +3.25% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, HUSV is up 6.20% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, HUSV compounded at +9.44% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +5.60% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.28% annualized vs +8.21%.
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 13.2% for HUSV. 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 -35.7% for HUSV 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
HUSV 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, HUSV currently yields 1.27% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
19.1% of HUSV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 22.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings HUSV also owns.
QQQ and HUSV share little of their money.
15 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in HUSV and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 204 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 81 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for HUSV (75.2% of the fund), and 83 for HUSV that do not appear in QQQ (78.5%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in HUSV | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 2.81% | 7.27% | 4.46% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 2.89% | 5.76% | 2.87% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 3.56% | 2.10% | 1.46% |
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 2.64% | 0.17% | 2.47% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 0.79% | 1.84% | 1.05% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.14% | 1.00% | 0.14% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.60% | 0.83% | 0.23% |
| CTASCintas Corp. | 1.01% | 0.35% | 0.66% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.82% | 0.42% | 0.40% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.72% | 0.47% | 0.25% |
22.4% of QQQ is already inside HUSV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, HUSV or QQQ?
HUSV 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, HUSV or QQQ?
Over the past year HUSV returned +3.25% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), HUSV annualized +8.21% vs +20.28% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HUSV or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 13.2% for HUSV. Worst drawdown: HUSV -35.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HUSV and QQQ?
HUSV 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.
What is the holdings overlap between HUSV and QQQ?
22.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings HUSV also owns. 22.4% of QQQ's is in holdings HUSV also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in HUSV and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, HUSV or QQQ?
HUSV yields 1.27% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so HUSV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HUSV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. HUSV is less concentrated, with 26.7% 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.