ISCF vs QQQ
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ISCF or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISCF is less concentrated, with 6.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | ISCF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.24% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $666M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.51% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 1,194 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +7.58% | +21.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.44% | +23.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.85% | +27.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.99% | +16.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.0%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,686 | $21,231Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 6.1%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 28, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2015 to Oct 1, 2026 (11.4 years).
ISCF 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 11.4 years both funds cover.
ISCF vs QQQ Performance
iShares International Small-Cap Equity Factor ETF (ISCF) 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 ISCF returned +11.44% while QQQ returned +23.58%. Year to date, ISCF is up 7.58% versus a gain of 21.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, ISCF compounded at +19.85% per year against +27.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.99% and +16.25% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.63% annualized vs +7.03%.
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 16.0% for ISCF. 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 -43.6% for ISCF 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
ISCF charges 0.24% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $24 vs $18 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCF currently yields 3.51% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1,154 holdings in ISCF and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.4% 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 1,154 positions we hold weights for in ISCF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 1,194 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ISCF (97.8% of the fund), and 17 for ISCF that do not appear in QQQ (1.3%).
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 ISCF 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, ISCF or QQQ?
ISCF has an expense ratio of 0.24% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISCF or QQQ?
Over the past year ISCF returned +11.44% vs +23.58% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), ISCF annualized +7.03% vs +18.63% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISCF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 16.0% for ISCF. Worst drawdown: ISCF -43.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ISCF and QQQ?
ISCF 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, ISCF or QQQ?
ISCF yields 3.51% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so ISCF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ISCF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. ISCF is less concentrated, with 6.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.