IAGG vs QQQ
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IAGG or QQQ?
Long Term Mid Quality against Large Cap Growth.
IAGG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | IAGG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $11.9B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.54% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 8,021 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -1.40% | +15.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.80% | +19.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +2.85% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.13% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -13.9%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,935 | $19,195Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 10, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 12, 2015 to Sep 16, 2026 (10.8 years).
IAGG 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IAGG vs QQQ Performance
iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG) 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 IAGG returned -3.80% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, IAGG is down 1.40% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, IAGG compounded at +2.85% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -0.13% and +13.93% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.83% annualized vs +1.89%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 4.1% for IAGG. 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 -13.9% for IAGG 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAGG charges 0.07% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $18 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAGG currently yields 4.54% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 675 holdings in IAGG and 102 in QQQ, totalling 4.5% 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 675 positions we hold weights for in IAGG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 8,021 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAGG 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, IAGG or QQQ?
IAGG has an expense ratio of 0.07% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IAGG is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAGG or QQQ?
Over the past year IAGG returned -3.80% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), IAGG annualized +1.89% vs +18.83% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAGG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 4.1% for IAGG. Worst drawdown: IAGG -13.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IAGG and QQQ?
IAGG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, IAGG or QQQ?
IAGG yields 4.54% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IAGG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IAGG?
IAGG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.