IQSM vs QQQ
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IQSM or QQQ?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
IQSM has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. IQSM is less concentrated, with 9.6% 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 | IQSM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $342M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 248 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +13.39% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.20% | +20.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +13.89% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5%Best | 18.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.7% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $16,018 | $25,596Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 9.6%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 25, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 25, 2022 to Sep 14, 2026 (3.9 years).
IQSM 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 3.9 years both funds cover.
IQSM vs QQQ Performance
NYLIM Candriam US Mid Cap Equity ETF (IQSM) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IQSM returned +16.20% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, IQSM is up 13.39% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, IQSM compounded at +13.89% per year against +24.86% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +27.25% annualized vs +12.84%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.2% compared with 16.5% for IQSM. 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 -23.7% for IQSM and -22.8% 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 0.65. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IQSM charges 0.15% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $18 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IQSM currently yields 1.03% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 246 holdings in IQSM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 102.0% 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 246 positions we hold weights for in IQSM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 248 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IQSM (97.5% of the fund), and 236 for IQSM that do not appear in QQQ (97.0%).
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 IQSM 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, IQSM or QQQ?
IQSM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while QQQ charges 0.18%. IQSM is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IQSM or QQQ?
Over the past year IQSM returned +16.20% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), IQSM annualized +12.84% vs +27.25% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IQSM or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.2% annualized versus 16.5% for IQSM. Worst drawdown: IQSM -23.7% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both IQSM and QQQ?
IQSM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.65, 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, IQSM or QQQ?
IQSM yields 1.03% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so IQSM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IQSM?
IQSM has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. IQSM is less concentrated, with 9.6% 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.