IJR vs QQQ
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IJR or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over the full window, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJR is less concentrated, with 6.9% 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 | IJR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $108.0B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 662 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +17.69%Best | +16.87% |
| 1Y Return | +19.94% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.25% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.94% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4%Best | 22.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -58.9%Best | -80.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,986 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2000 to Sep 11, 2026 (26.3 years).
IJR 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
IJR vs QQQ Performance
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) 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 IJR returned +19.94% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, IJR is up 17.69% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, IJR compounded at +15.25% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.94% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IJR has the edge at +9.03% annualized vs +8.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% compared with 19.4% for IJR. 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 -58.9% for IJR 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IJR charges 0.06% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $6 vs $18 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IJR currently yields 1.14% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 593 holdings in IJR and 102 in QQQ, totalling 98.8% 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 593 positions we hold weights for in IJR and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 662 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IJR (97.0% of the fund), and 573 for IJR that do not appear in QQQ (96.1%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IJR 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, IJR or QQQ?
IJR has an expense ratio of 0.06% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IJR is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IJR or QQQ?
Over the past year IJR returned +19.94% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IJR annualized +9.03% vs +8.94% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IJR or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 19.4% for IJR. Worst drawdown: IJR -58.9% vs QQQ -80.5%.
Should I hold both IJR and QQQ?
IJR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, IJR or QQQ?
IJR yields 1.14% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IJR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IJR?
IJR has a lower expense ratio. IJR led over the full window, QQQ over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. IJR is less concentrated, with 6.9% 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.