ILDR vs QQQ
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ILDR or QQQ?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. ILDR is less concentrated, with 41.8% 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 | ILDR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $318M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 164 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +14.56% | +15.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.77% | +19.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.00%Best | +24.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.78% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.3% | 20.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -44.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,684 | $19,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.8%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Sep 16, 2026 (5.3 years).
ILDR 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
ILDR vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Innovation Leaders ETF (ILDR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ILDR returned +18.77% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, ILDR is up 14.56% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, ILDR compounded at +29.00% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.78% and +13.93% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ILDR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.3% compared with 20.6% 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 -44.6% for ILDR 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ILDR charges 0.75% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $18 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ILDR currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
48.4% of ILDR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 48.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings ILDR also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
21 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 164 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 76 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ILDR (49.5% of the fund), and 49 for ILDR that do not appear in QQQ (40.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ILDR | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 9.84% | 8.44% | 1.40% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 5.51% | 4.67% | 0.84% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 4.74% | 3.36% | 1.38% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.33% | 3.45% | 0.88% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.93% | 5.76% | 3.83% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.67% | 4.43% | 1.76% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.74% | 3.16% | 0.58% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.87% | 2.78% | 0.91% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.87% | 2.56% | 0.69% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 2.74% | 0.81% | 1.93% |
48.8% of QQQ is already inside ILDR.
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, ILDR or QQQ?
ILDR has an expense ratio of 0.75% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ILDR or QQQ?
Over the past year ILDR returned +18.77% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ILDR or QQQ?
ILDR has been the more volatile fund at 23.3% annualized versus 20.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ILDR -44.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ILDR and QQQ?
ILDR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between ILDR and QQQ?
48.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings ILDR also owns. 48.8% of QQQ's is in holdings ILDR also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 81 positions we hold weights for in ILDR and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, ILDR or QQQ?
ILDR yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ILDR?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ILDR led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. ILDR is less concentrated, with 41.8% 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.