IBGL vs QQQ

IBGL vs QQQ

Which is better, IBGL or QQQ?

QQQ has been ahead.

IBGL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: IBGLHigher Returns: QQQ

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

MetricIBGLQQQ
Expense Ratio0.07%Best0.18%
AUM$6M$483.5B
Dividend Yield4.87%0.44%
Holdings6107
YTD Return-3.10%+17.21%Best
1Y Return-4.84%+22.10%Best
3Y Return (annualized)-+25.27%
5Y Return (annualized)-+14.60%
Volatility (annualized)8.3%Best19.1%
Max Drawdown-9.0%Best-14.1%
$10,000 over 1.5 years$9,889$14,975Best
Fund FamilyiShares by BlackRock (US)Invesco (US)
CategoryFixed IncomeEquity
Style-Large Cap Growth
InceptionMar 25, 2025Mar 10, 1999

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 26, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.5 years).

IBGL 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 1.5 years both funds cover.

IBGL vs QQQ Performance

iShares iBonds Dec 2055 Term Treasury ETF (IBGL) 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 IBGL returned -4.84% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, IBGL is down 3.10% versus a gain of 17.21% 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 19.1% compared with 8.3% for IBGL. 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 -9.0% for IBGL and -14.1% 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 0.20. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

IBGL 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, IBGL currently yields 4.87% against 0.44% for QQQ.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 4 holdings in IBGL and 102 in QQQ, totalling 76.0% 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 4 positions we hold weights for in IBGL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 6 and 107.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of IBGL and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

IBGLQQQ

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, IBGL or QQQ?

IBGL has an expense ratio of 0.07% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IBGL is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, IBGL or QQQ?

Over the past year IBGL returned -4.84% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IBGL annualized -0.74% vs +30.89% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, IBGL or QQQ?

QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 8.3% for IBGL. Worst drawdown: IBGL -9.0% vs QQQ -14.1%.

Should I hold both IBGL and QQQ?

IBGL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.20, 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, IBGL or QQQ?

IBGL yields 4.87% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IBGL currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is QQQ better than IBGL?

IBGL 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.