IAK vs QQQ
iShares US Insurance ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IAK or QQQ?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.5%.
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 | IAK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $515M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 61 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +11.52% | +17.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.79% | +26.50%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.05% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.81%Best | +14.15% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.0% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,948Best | $19,381 |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.5% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 5, 2006 to Sep 3, 2026 (20.3 years).
IAK 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 20.3 years both funds cover.
IAK vs QQQ Performance
iShares US Insurance ETF (IAK) 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 IAK returned +13.79% while QQQ returned +26.50%. Year to date, IAK is up 11.52% versus a gain of 17.33% for QQQ.
Over three years, IAK compounded at +20.05% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.81% and +14.15% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.14% annualized vs +5.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IAK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 18.6% for QQQ. 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 -78.0% for IAK and -53.5% 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 0.58. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAK charges 0.37% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $18 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAK currently yields 2.42% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 58 holdings in IAK and 102 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% 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 58 positions we hold weights for in IAK and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 61 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 58 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions IAK does not, 97.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.44%, AAPL 7.27%, MSFT 5.76%, AMZN 4.67%, MU 4.43%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAK 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, IAK or QQQ?
IAK has an expense ratio of 0.37% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAK or QQQ?
Over the past year IAK returned +13.79% vs +26.50% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IAK annualized +5.99% vs +15.14% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAK or QQQ?
IAK has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IAK -78.0% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both IAK and QQQ?
IAK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.58, 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, IAK or QQQ?
IAK yields 2.42% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IAK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IAK?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IAK led over 5Y, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.