ISTM vs QQQ
iShares Strategic Metals ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ISTM or QQQ?
Commodities against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ISTM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
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 | ISTM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $33M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.53% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 92 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +3.53% | +23.76%Best |
| 1Y Return | +26.17%Best | +25.02% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +32.90%Best | +28.26% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.87% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.8% | 17.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.5%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3 years | $22,682Best | $21,377 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Commodities | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 26, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2023 to Oct 5, 2026 (3 years).
ISTM 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 years both funds cover.
ISTM vs QQQ Performance
iShares Strategic Metals ETF (ISTM) 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 ISTM returned +26.17% while QQQ returned +25.02%. Year to date, ISTM is up 3.53% versus a gain of 23.76% for QQQ.
Over three years, ISTM compounded at +32.90% per year against +28.26% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISTM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.8% compared with 17.0% for QQQ. 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 -22.5% for ISTM 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 0.00. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISTM 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, ISTM currently yields 13.53% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in ISTM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 25.6% 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 positions we hold weights for in ISTM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 92 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISTM 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, ISTM or QQQ?
ISTM 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, ISTM or QQQ?
Over the past year ISTM returned +26.17% vs +25.02% for QQQ, so ISTM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISTM or QQQ?
ISTM has been the more volatile fund at 22.8% annualized versus 17.0% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ISTM -22.5% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both ISTM and QQQ?
ISTM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.00, 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, ISTM or QQQ?
ISTM yields 13.53% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so ISTM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ISTM?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. ISTM led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.