IDU vs QQQ
iShares US Utilities ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IDU or QQQ?
Large Cap Value 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 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.1%.
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 | IDU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 49 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -5.53% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.47% | +24.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.42% | +29.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.53% | +17.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 22.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.4%Best | -80.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,376 | $21,924Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.1% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 12, 2000 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 20, 2000 to Oct 2, 2026 (26.3 years).
IDU 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
IDU vs QQQ Performance
iShares US Utilities ETF (IDU) 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 IDU returned -6.47% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, IDU is down 5.53% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, IDU compounded at +15.42% per year against +29.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.53% and +17.00% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +8.20% annualized vs +4.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 15.0% for IDU. 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 -56.4% for IDU and -80.5% 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 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IDU charges 0.37% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $18 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IDU currently yields 2.34% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
16.1% of IDU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings IDU also owns.
IDU and QQQ share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in IDU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 49 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IDU (96.6% of the fund), and 40 for IDU that do not appear in QQQ (82.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IDU 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, IDU or QQQ?
IDU has an expense ratio of 0.37% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IDU or QQQ?
Over the past year IDU returned -6.47% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IDU annualized +4.78% vs +8.20% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IDU or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 15.0% for IDU. Worst drawdown: IDU -56.4% vs QQQ -80.5%.
Should I hold both IDU and QQQ?
IDU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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 IDU and QQQ?
16.1% of IDU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.2% of QQQ's is in holdings IDU also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 46 positions we hold weights for in IDU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IDU or QQQ?
IDU yields 2.34% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so IDU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IDU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.