IVW vs QQQ
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IVW or QQQ?
Each has led over a different period.
IVW led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.4%.
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 | IVW | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Tie | 0.18%Tie |
| AUM | $75.8B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.36% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 152 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +13.15% | +16.87%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.67% | +22.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.82%Best | +24.98% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.16% | +14.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 22.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -72.1%Best | -80.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,555 | $19,586Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.4% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 22, 2000 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2000 to Sep 11, 2026 (26.3 years).
IVW 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 26.3 years both funds cover.
IVW vs QQQ Performance
iShares S&P 500 Growth ETF (IVW) 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 IVW returned +17.67% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, IVW is up 13.15% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, IVW compounded at +25.82% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +13.16% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +8.94% annualized vs +7.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.5% compared with 16.1% for IVW. 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 -72.1% for IVW and -80.5% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVW charges 0.18% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $18 annually. On income, IVW currently yields 0.36% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
73.1% of IVW's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 73.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings IVW also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside IVW. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
47 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IVW and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 152 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 48 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IVW (23.7% of the fund), and 101 for IVW that do not appear in QQQ (26.7%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVW | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 14.85% | 8.44% | 6.41% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 10.46% | 5.76% | 4.70% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.46% | 7.27% | 0.81% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 5.52% | 3.36% | 2.16% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.74% | 4.67% | 0.93% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 4.87% | 3.16% | 1.71% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 4.40% | 3.13% | 1.27% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.00% | 4.43% | 1.43% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 3.49% | 2.78% | 0.71% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 2.13% | 3.45% | 1.32% |
73.3% of QQQ is already inside IVW.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVW or QQQ?
IVW has an expense ratio of 0.18% while QQQ charges 0.18%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, IVW or QQQ?
Over the past year IVW returned +17.67% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVW annualized +7.76% vs +8.94% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVW or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.5% annualized versus 16.1% for IVW. Worst drawdown: IVW -72.1% vs QQQ -80.5%.
Should I hold both IVW and QQQ?
IVW and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVW and QQQ?
73.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings IVW also owns. 73.3% of QQQ's is in holdings IVW also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 149 positions we hold weights for in IVW and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVW or QQQ?
IVW yields 0.36% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IVW?
IVW led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.