ICF vs QQQ
iShares Select US REIT ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ICF or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%.
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 | ICF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.0B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.40% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 34 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +9.44% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +8.66% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.36% | +25.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.42% | +14.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.2% | 20.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -78.8% | -67.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,730 | $19,766Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.8% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2001 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 2, 2001 to Sep 17, 2026 (25.6 years).
ICF 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 25.6 years both funds cover.
ICF vs QQQ Performance
iShares Select US REIT ETF (ICF) 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 ICF returned +8.66% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, ICF is up 9.44% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, ICF compounded at +9.36% per year against +25.27% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +1.42% and +14.60% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +10.20% annualized vs +5.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ICF has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 20.9% 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 -78.8% for ICF and -67.4% 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ICF charges 0.32% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $18 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ICF currently yields 2.40% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 31 holdings in ICF and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% 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 31 positions we hold weights for in ICF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 34 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 31 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions ICF 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 ICF 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, ICF or QQQ?
ICF has an expense ratio of 0.32% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ICF or QQQ?
Over the past year ICF returned +8.66% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), ICF annualized +5.26% vs +10.20% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ICF or QQQ?
ICF has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 20.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ICF -78.8% vs QQQ -67.4%.
Should I hold both ICF and QQQ?
ICF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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, ICF or QQQ?
ICF yields 2.40% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so ICF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ICF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.