IQDF vs QQQ
Northern Trust International Quality Dividend ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IQDF or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IQDF led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQDF is less concentrated, with 19.9% 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 | IQDF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.92% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 265 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +15.98%Best | +15.21% |
| 1Y Return | +25.76%Best | +19.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.99% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.43% | +13.93%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 17.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -47.3% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,180 | $19,195Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 19.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2013 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 16, 2013 to Sep 16, 2026 (13.4 years).
IQDF 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IQDF vs QQQ Performance
Northern Trust International Quality Dividend ETF (IQDF) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IQDF returned +25.76% while QQQ returned +19.78%. Year to date, IQDF is up 15.98% versus a gain of 15.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, IQDF compounded at +22.99% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.43% and +13.93% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.13% annualized vs +4.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 15.0% for IQDF. 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 -47.3% for IQDF 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQDF charges 0.47% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $18 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQDF currently yields 2.92% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
1.3% of IQDF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings IQDF also owns.
IQDF and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 188 positions we hold weights for in IQDF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 265 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IQDF (97.4% of the fund), and 2 for IQDF that do not appear in QQQ (0.4%).
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 IQDF | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 1.28% | 0.17% | 1.11% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IQDF 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, IQDF or QQQ?
IQDF has an expense ratio of 0.47% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQDF or QQQ?
Over the past year IQDF returned +25.76% vs +19.78% for QQQ, so IQDF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), IQDF annualized +4.76% vs +19.13% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQDF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 15.0% for IQDF. Worst drawdown: IQDF -47.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IQDF and QQQ?
IQDF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 IQDF and QQQ?
1.3% of IQDF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.2% of QQQ's is in holdings IQDF also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 188 positions we hold weights for in IQDF and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQDF or QQQ?
IQDF yields 2.92% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IQDF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IQDF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IQDF led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQDF is less concentrated, with 19.9% 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.