IGE vs QQQ
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IGE or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IGE led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, QQQ over 3Y. IGE is less concentrated, with 41.7% 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 | IGE | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $754M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 156 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +27.81%Best | +15.94% |
| 1Y Return | +37.37%Best | +20.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.59% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.09%Best | +14.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 44.8% | 19.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.3% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,034Best | $19,475 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 22, 2001 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 29, 2001 to Sep 14, 2026 (24.8 years).
IGE 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 24.8 years both funds cover.
IGE vs QQQ Performance
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) 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 IGE returned +37.37% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, IGE is up 27.81% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, IGE compounded at +17.59% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +21.09% and +14.26% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, IGE has the edge at +14.67% annualized vs +12.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 44.8% compared with 19.4% 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 -72.3% for IGE and -53.5% 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 0.23. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGE 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, IGE currently yields 1.80% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
2.5% of IGE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings IGE also owns.
IGE and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IGE and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 156 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IGE (97.0% of the fund), and 100 for IGE that do not appear in QQQ (69.0%).
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 IGE 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, IGE or QQQ?
IGE 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, IGE or QQQ?
Over the past year IGE returned +37.37% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so IGE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IGE annualized +14.67% vs +12.45% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGE or QQQ?
IGE has been the more volatile fund at 44.8% annualized versus 19.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IGE -72.3% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both IGE and QQQ?
IGE and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.23, 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 IGE and QQQ?
2.5% of IGE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.5% of QQQ's is in holdings IGE also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IGE and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGE or QQQ?
IGE yields 1.80% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IGE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IGE?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IGE led over 1Y, 5Y and the full window, QQQ over 3Y. IGE is less concentrated, with 41.7% 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.