IBLC vs QQQ
iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IBLC or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IBLC led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.4%.
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 | IBLC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $82M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.58% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 52 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.80% | +17.11%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.81% | +23.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +43.96%Best | +24.62% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 66.6% | 19.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.5% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $22,419 | $23,354Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.4% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 25, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 27, 2022 to Sep 9, 2026 (4.4 years).
IBLC 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
IBLC vs QQQ Performance
iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC) 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 IBLC returned +7.81% while QQQ returned +23.99%. Year to date, IBLC is up 7.80% versus a gain of 17.11% for QQQ.
Over three years, IBLC compounded at +43.96% per year against +24.62% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.26% annualized vs +20.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IBLC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 66.6% compared with 19.9% 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 -62.5% for IBLC and -22.8% 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IBLC charges 0.47% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $18 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IBLC currently yields 5.58% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
9.7% of IBLC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 12.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings IBLC also owns.
QQQ and IBLC share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in IBLC and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 52 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IBLC (84.9% of the fund), and 27 for IBLC that do not appear in QQQ (72.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IBLC 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, IBLC or QQQ?
IBLC has an expense ratio of 0.47% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IBLC or QQQ?
Over the past year IBLC returned +7.81% vs +23.99% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IBLC annualized +20.14% vs +21.26% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IBLC or QQQ?
IBLC has been the more volatile fund at 66.6% annualized versus 19.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IBLC -62.5% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both IBLC and QQQ?
IBLC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 IBLC and QQQ?
12.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings IBLC also owns. 12.1% of QQQ's is in holdings IBLC also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in IBLC and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IBLC or QQQ?
IBLC yields 5.58% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IBLC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IBLC?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IBLC led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.