IJK vs QQQ
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IJK or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
IJK has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IJK is less concentrated, with 14.1% 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 | IJK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.16%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $10.8B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.54% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 252 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +15.13% | +17.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.48% | +24.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.81% | +24.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.49% | +14.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.1%Best | 22.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.6%Best | -80.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,350 | $19,441Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.1%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 24, 2000 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 28, 2000 to Sep 8, 2026 (26.1 years).
IJK 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.
IJK vs QQQ Performance
iShares S&P Mid-Cap 400 Growth ETF (IJK) 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 IJK returned +17.48% while QQQ returned +24.69%. Year to date, IJK is up 15.13% versus a gain of 17.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, IJK compounded at +15.81% per year against +24.76% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.49% and +14.22% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +8.56% annualized vs +7.97%.
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 IJK. 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 -54.6% for IJK 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJK charges 0.16% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $16 vs $18 annually, a gap of $2 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJK currently yields 0.54% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 246 holdings in IJK and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 246 positions we hold weights for in IJK and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 252 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IJK (96.8% of the fund), and 236 for IJK that do not appear in QQQ (95.8%).
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 IJK 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, IJK or QQQ?
IJK has an expense ratio of 0.16% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IJK is the cheaper option, by $2 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJK or QQQ?
Over the past year IJK returned +17.48% vs +24.69% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IJK annualized +7.97% vs +8.56% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJK or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 18.1% for IJK. Worst drawdown: IJK -54.6% vs QQQ -80.5%.
Should I hold both IJK and QQQ?
IJK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, IJK or QQQ?
IJK yields 0.54% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IJK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IJK?
IJK has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IJK is less concentrated, with 14.1% 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.