IEV vs QQQ
iShares Europe ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IEV 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. IEV is less concentrated, with 20.9% 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 | IEV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.7B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 372 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.88% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.49% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.64% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.27% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1%Best | 22.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -65.6%Best | -80.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,578 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 25, 2000 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 28, 2000 to Sep 11, 2026 (26.1 years).
IEV 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 26.1 years both funds cover.
IEV vs QQQ Performance
iShares Europe ETF (IEV) 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 IEV returned +16.49% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, IEV is up 7.88% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, IEV compounded at +17.64% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.27% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +8.54% annualized vs +3.17%.
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 18.1% for IEV. 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 -65.6% for IEV 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEV charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEV currently yields 2.71% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
6.9% of IEV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings IEV also owns.
IEV and QQQ share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 361 positions we hold weights for in IEV and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 372 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IEV (96.9% of the fund), and 9 for IEV that do not appear in QQQ (4.3%).
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 IEV 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, IEV or QQQ?
IEV has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEV or QQQ?
Over the past year IEV returned +16.49% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IEV annualized +3.17% vs +8.54% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEV or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 18.1% for IEV. Worst drawdown: IEV -65.6% vs QQQ -80.5%.
Should I hold both IEV and QQQ?
IEV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 IEV and QQQ?
6.9% of IEV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.1% of QQQ's is in holdings IEV also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 361 positions we hold weights for in IEV and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEV or QQQ?
IEV yields 2.71% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IEV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IEV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IEV is less concentrated, with 20.9% 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.