IAUM vs QQQ
iShares Gold Trust Micro vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IAUM or QQQ?
Gold against Large Cap Growth.
IAUM has a lower expense ratio. IAUM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, QQQ over 1Y.
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 | IAUM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $7.8B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 2 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -1.13% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.29% | +20.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +30.57%Best | +24.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.79%Best | +14.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 20.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -26.3%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,654Best | $19,475 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 15, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2021 to Sep 14, 2026 (5.2 years).
IAUM 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 5.2 years both funds cover.
IAUM vs QQQ Performance
iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) 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 IAUM returned +16.29% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, IAUM is down 1.13% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, IAUM compounded at +30.57% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +18.79% and +14.26% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 16.7% for IAUM. 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 -26.3% for IAUM 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 0.12. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IAUM charges 0.09% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $18 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IAUM currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IAUM 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, IAUM or QQQ?
IAUM has an expense ratio of 0.09% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IAUM is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IAUM or QQQ?
Over the past year IAUM returned +16.29% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IAUM or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 16.7% for IAUM. Worst drawdown: IAUM -26.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IAUM and QQQ?
IAUM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.12, 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, IAUM or QQQ?
IAUM yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IAUM?
IAUM has a lower expense ratio. IAUM led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, QQQ over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.