JCTR vs QQQ
JPMorgan Carbon Transition US Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, JCTR or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
JCTR has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92.
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 | JCTR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $7M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.94% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 405 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -24.8%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.8 years | $19,380 | $20,482Best |
| Fund Family | J.P. Morgan Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2020 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 336 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. JCTR has data through Oct 3, 2025 and QQQ through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 10, 2020 to Oct 3, 2025 (4.8 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 15.5% for JCTR. 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 -24.8% for JCTR 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JCTR 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, JCTR currently yields 0.94% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JCTR 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, JCTR or QQQ?
JCTR has an expense ratio of 0.15% while QQQ charges 0.18%. JCTR is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, JCTR or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.5% for JCTR. Worst drawdown: JCTR -24.8% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both JCTR and QQQ?
JCTR 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, JCTR or QQQ?
JCTR yields 0.94% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so JCTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than JCTR?
JCTR has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.