IMCG vs QQQ
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IMCG or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
IMCG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% 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 | IMCG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.06%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $4.0B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 265 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +18.31%Best | +16.87% |
| 1Y Return | +15.24% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.86% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.72% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8%Best | 18.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.0% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,843 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.3%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | 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 11, 2026 (22.2 years).
IMCG 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.
IMCG vs QQQ Performance
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) 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 IMCG returned +15.24% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, IMCG is up 18.31% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, IMCG compounded at +17.86% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.72% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 22-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.47% annualized vs +11.02%.
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 17.8% for IMCG. 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 -59.0% for IMCG 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMCG 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, IMCG currently yields 0.61% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
19.7% of IMCG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 7.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings IMCG also owns.
IMCG and QQQ share little of their money.
29 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 265 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 66 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IMCG (89.3% of the fund), and 223 for IMCG that do not appear in QQQ (77.8%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IMCG | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FTNTFortinet Inc. | 1.35% | 0.53% | 0.82% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc. Class A | 1.17% | 0.41% | 0.76% |
| DASHDoordash Inc | 1.03% | 0.37% | 0.66% |
| ORLYO'reilly Automotive, Inc. | 1.02% | 0.34% | 0.68% |
| CTASCintas Corp. | 0.92% | 0.35% | 0.57% |
| MNSTMonster Beverage Corp. | 0.86% | 0.41% | 0.45% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.85% | 0.42% | 0.43% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 0.78% | 0.36% | 0.42% |
| LITELumentum Holdings Inc | 0.85% | 0.28% | 0.57% |
| MPWRMonolithic Power Systems Inc | 0.84% | 0.29% | 0.55% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IMCG 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, IMCG or QQQ?
IMCG has an expense ratio of 0.06% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IMCG is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMCG or QQQ?
Over the past year IMCG returned +15.24% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (22 years), IMCG annualized +11.02% vs +14.47% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMCG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 17.8% for IMCG. Worst drawdown: IMCG -59.0% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both IMCG and QQQ?
IMCG 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 IMCG and QQQ?
19.7% of IMCG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 7.8% of QQQ's is in holdings IMCG also owns. They hold 29 positions in common, counted across the 260 positions we hold weights for in IMCG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IMCG or QQQ?
IMCG yields 0.61% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IMCG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IMCG?
IMCG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IMCG is less concentrated, with 12.3% 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.