ITDF vs QQQ
iShares LifePath Target Date 2050 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ITDF or QQQ?
Target Date against Large Cap Growth.
ITDF has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 99.8%.
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 | ITDF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.11%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $89M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.49% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 12 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +12.10% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.95% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.06% | +25.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.2%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -15.7%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.9 years | $17,826 | $20,169Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 99.8% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Target Date | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 17, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 19, 2023 to Sep 17, 2026 (2.9 years).
ITDF 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 2.9 years both funds cover.
ITDF vs QQQ Performance
iShares LifePath Target Date 2050 ETF (ITDF) 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 ITDF returned +16.95% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, ITDF is up 12.10% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, ITDF compounded at +22.06% per year against +25.27% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 11.2% for ITDF. 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 -15.7% for ITDF 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ITDF charges 0.11% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $11 vs $18 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ITDF currently yields 1.49% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 11 holdings in ITDF and 102 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% 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 11 positions we hold weights for in ITDF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 12 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 11 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions ITDF does not, 97.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.44%, AAPL 7.27%, MSFT 5.76%, AMZN 4.67%, MU 4.43%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ITDF 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, ITDF or QQQ?
ITDF has an expense ratio of 0.11% while QQQ charges 0.18%. ITDF is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ITDF or QQQ?
Over the past year ITDF returned +16.95% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ITDF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 11.2% for ITDF. Worst drawdown: ITDF -15.7% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both ITDF and QQQ?
ITDF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, ITDF or QQQ?
ITDF yields 1.49% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so ITDF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ITDF?
ITDF has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 99.8%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.