IMCB vs QQQ
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IMCB or QQQ?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
IMCB has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IMCB is less concentrated, with 7.4% 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 | IMCB | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $1.7B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.19% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 399 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +15.31%Best | +15.21% |
| 1Y Return | +17.77% | +19.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.46% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.50% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2%Best | 18.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.6% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,037 | $19,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 7.4%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Sep 16, 2026 (22.2 years).
IMCB 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 22.2 years both funds cover.
IMCB vs QQQ Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap ETF (IMCB) 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 IMCB returned +17.77% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, IMCB is up 15.31% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, IMCB compounded at +17.46% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.50% and +13.93% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.38% annualized vs +9.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 17.2% for IMCB. 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 -59.6% for IMCB 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCB charges 0.04% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $18 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMCB currently yields 1.19% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
16.6% of IMCB's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 11.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings IMCB also owns.
IMCB and QQQ share little of their money.
44 positions in common, counted across the 388 positions we hold weights for in IMCB and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 399 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 52 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IMCB (86.2% of the fund), and 332 for IMCB that do not appear in QQQ (80.3%).
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 IMCB | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.78% | 0.47% | 0.31% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 0.72% | 0.53% | 0.19% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.64% | 0.42% | 0.22% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 0.60% | 0.37% | 0.23% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 0.50% | 0.41% | 0.09% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 0.55% | 0.35% | 0.20% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 0.55% | 0.35% | 0.20% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 0.50% | 0.36% | 0.14% |
| ORLYO'Eilly Automotive, Inc. | 0.50% | 0.34% | 0.16% |
| MNSTMonster Beverage Corp. | 0.43% | 0.41% | 0.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IMCB 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, IMCB or QQQ?
IMCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IMCB is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMCB or QQQ?
Over the past year IMCB returned +17.77% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), IMCB annualized +9.13% vs +14.38% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCB or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 17.2% for IMCB. Worst drawdown: IMCB -59.6% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both IMCB and QQQ?
IMCB and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 IMCB and QQQ?
16.6% of IMCB's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 11.3% of QQQ's is in holdings IMCB also owns. They hold 44 positions in common, counted across the 388 positions we hold weights for in IMCB and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCB or QQQ?
IMCB yields 1.19% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IMCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IMCB?
IMCB has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IMCB is less concentrated, with 7.4% 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.