IQDY vs QQQ
Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Dynamic ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IQDY or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IQDY led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQDY is less concentrated, with 20.2% 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 | IQDY | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $114M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.89% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 252 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +17.74%Best | +15.94% |
| 1Y Return | +29.68%Best | +20.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.52% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.33% | +14.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2%Best | 17.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -45.3% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,885 | $19,475Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 20.2%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 14, 2026 (13.4 years).
IQDY 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 13.4 years both funds cover.
IQDY vs QQQ Performance
Northern Trust International Quality Dividend Dynamic ETF (IQDY) 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 IQDY returned +29.68% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, IQDY is up 17.74% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, IQDY compounded at +24.52% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.33% and +14.26% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.20% annualized vs +6.41%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 17.2% for IQDY. 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 -45.3% for IQDY 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQDY 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, IQDY currently yields 2.89% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
1.2% of IQDY's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings IQDY also owns.
IQDY and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 203 positions we hold weights for in IQDY and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 252 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IQDY (97.4% of the fund), and 4 for IQDY that do not appear in QQQ (1.0%).
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 IQDY 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, IQDY or QQQ?
IQDY 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, IQDY or QQQ?
Over the past year IQDY returned +29.68% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so IQDY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), IQDY annualized +6.41% vs +19.20% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQDY or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 17.2% for IQDY. Worst drawdown: IQDY -45.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IQDY and QQQ?
IQDY and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 IQDY and QQQ?
1.2% of IQDY's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.8% of QQQ's is in holdings IQDY also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 203 positions we hold weights for in IQDY and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IQDY or QQQ?
IQDY yields 2.89% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IQDY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IQDY?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IQDY led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IQDY is less concentrated, with 20.2% 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.