IFRA vs QQQ
iShares US Infrastructure ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IFRA or QQQ?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IFRA is less concentrated, with 33.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | IFRA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.30% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $4.0B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.66% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 335 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +6.18% | +23.76%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.46% | +25.02%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.09% | +28.26%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.02% | +16.87%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.8%Best | 20.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -41.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,639 | $21,803Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.1%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 3, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 5, 2018 to Oct 5, 2026 (8.5 years).
IFRA 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 8.5 years both funds cover.
IFRA vs QQQ Performance
iShares US Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) 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 IFRA returned +7.46% while QQQ returned +25.02%. Year to date, IFRA is up 6.18% versus a gain of 23.76% for QQQ.
Over three years, IFRA compounded at +18.09% per year against +28.26% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.02% and +16.87% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.46% annualized vs +11.00%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 19.8% for IFRA. 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 -41.1% for IFRA 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IFRA charges 0.30% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $30 vs $18 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IFRA currently yields 1.66% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
10.9% of IFRA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings IFRA also owns.
IFRA and QQQ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 162 positions we hold weights for in IFRA and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 335 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IFRA (96.2% of the fund), and 144 for IFRA that do not appear in QQQ (80.8%).
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 IFRA 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, IFRA or QQQ?
IFRA has an expense ratio of 0.30% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IFRA or QQQ?
Over the past year IFRA returned +7.46% vs +25.02% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), IFRA annualized +11.00% vs +20.46% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IFRA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 19.8% for IFRA. Worst drawdown: IFRA -41.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IFRA and QQQ?
IFRA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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 IFRA and QQQ?
10.9% of IFRA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.6% of QQQ's is in holdings IFRA also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 162 positions we hold weights for in IFRA and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IFRA or QQQ?
IFRA yields 1.66% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so IFRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IFRA?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IFRA is less concentrated, with 33.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.