IGV vs QQQ
iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IGV or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.1%.
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 | IGV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $14.9B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.02% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 113 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +4.22% | +17.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.34% | +26.50%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.76% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.55% | +14.15%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.9% | 20.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.5% | -54.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,492 | $19,381Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.1% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 10, 2001 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 13, 2001 to Sep 3, 2026 (25.1 years).
IGV 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 25.1 years both funds cover.
IGV vs QQQ Performance
iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) 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 IGV returned -0.34% while QQQ returned +26.50%. Year to date, IGV is up 4.22% versus a gain of 17.33% for QQQ.
Over three years, IGV compounded at +13.76% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.55% and +14.15% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +11.98% annualized vs +9.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IGV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.9% compared with 20.4% 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 -63.5% for IGV and -54.3% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IGV charges 0.38% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $18 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IGV currently yields 0.02% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
64.8% of IGV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 13.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings IGV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in IGV and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 113 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 80 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IGV (84.0% of the fund), and 88 for IGV that do not appear in QQQ (33.1%).
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 IGV | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 9.42% | 5.76% | 3.66% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 9.85% | 1.30% | 8.55% |
| PLTRPalantir Technologies Inc | 9.34% | 1.60% | 7.74% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc. Class A | 7.15% | 0.94% | 6.21% |
| ADBEAdobe Systems | 3.54% | 0.46% | 3.08% |
| APPAppLovin Corp. Com Cl A | 3.44% | 0.56% | 2.88% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 3.45% | 0.53% | 2.92% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 3.16% | 0.41% | 2.75% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 3.14% | 0.41% | 2.73% |
| INTUIntuit, Inc. | 3.06% | 0.39% | 2.67% |
64.8% of IGV is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IGV or QQQ?
IGV has an expense ratio of 0.38% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IGV or QQQ?
Over the past year IGV returned -0.34% vs +26.50% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IGV annualized +9.84% vs +11.98% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IGV or QQQ?
IGV has been the more volatile fund at 23.9% annualized versus 20.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IGV -63.5% vs QQQ -54.3%.
Should I hold both IGV and QQQ?
IGV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 IGV and QQQ?
64.8% of IGV's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 13.6% of QQQ's is in holdings IGV also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 107 positions we hold weights for in IGV and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IGV or QQQ?
IGV yields 0.02% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IGV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.