IDLV vs QQQ
Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IDLV 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. IDLV is less concentrated, with 7.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | IDLV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $336M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.82% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 215 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +6.14% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.60% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.25% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.43% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.1%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -36.4% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,656 | $20,324Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.4%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 13, 2012 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2012 to Sep 18, 2026 (14.7 years).
IDLV 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IDLV vs QQQ Performance
Invesco S&P International Developed Low Volatility ETF (IDLV) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IDLV returned +9.60% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, IDLV is up 6.14% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, IDLV compounded at +13.25% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.43% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.91% annualized vs +3.83%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 12.1% for IDLV. 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 -36.4% for IDLV 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 0.56. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IDLV charges 0.25% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $18 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDLV currently yields 4.82% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
0.4% of IDLV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings IDLV also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 201 positions we hold weights for in IDLV and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 215 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IDLV (97.5% of the fund), and 6 for IDLV that do not appear in QQQ (2.4%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IDLV | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FER:ASFerrovial Se | 0.39% | 0.21% | 0.18% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IDLV 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, IDLV or QQQ?
IDLV has an expense ratio of 0.25% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDLV or QQQ?
Over the past year IDLV returned +9.60% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), IDLV annualized +3.83% vs +18.91% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDLV or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 12.1% for IDLV. Worst drawdown: IDLV -36.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IDLV and QQQ?
IDLV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.56, 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, IDLV or QQQ?
IDLV yields 4.82% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IDLV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IDLV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IDLV is less concentrated, with 7.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.