IMOM vs QQQ
Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IMOM or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IMOM is less concentrated, with 22.9% 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 | IMOM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $159M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.38% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 55 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.34% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.12% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.12% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.41% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.0%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,014 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Alpha Architect | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 22, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.7 years).
IMOM 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 10.7 years both funds cover.
IMOM vs QQQ Performance
Alpha Architect International Quantitative Momentum ETF (IMOM) is an ETF from Alpha Architect and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IMOM returned +23.12% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, IMOM is up 7.34% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, IMOM compounded at +22.12% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +5.41% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.28% annualized vs +6.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 18.0% for IMOM. 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 -45.7% for IMOM 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IMOM charges 0.38% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $18 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IMOM currently yields 2.38% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 51 holdings in IMOM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% 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 51 positions we hold weights for in IMOM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 55 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IMOM (97.5% of the fund), and 1 for IMOM that do not appear in QQQ (2.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IMOM 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, IMOM or QQQ?
IMOM has an expense ratio of 0.38% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IMOM or QQQ?
Over the past year IMOM returned +23.12% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), IMOM annualized +6.84% vs +19.28% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IMOM or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 18.0% for IMOM. Worst drawdown: IMOM -45.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IMOM and QQQ?
IMOM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, IMOM or QQQ?
IMOM yields 2.38% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IMOM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IMOM?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IMOM is less concentrated, with 22.9% 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.