KCE vs QQQ
State Street SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, KCE or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. KCE is less concentrated, with 18.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | KCE | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $473M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.57% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 66 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +5.25% | +22.20%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.80% | +24.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.92% | +28.38%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.69% | +15.80%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.0% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.4% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,173 | $20,823Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 18.5%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2005 to Sep 22, 2026 (20.9 years).
KCE 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 20.9 years both funds cover.
KCE vs QQQ Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Capital Markets ETF (KCE) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year KCE returned +2.80% while QQQ returned +24.58%. Year to date, KCE is up 5.25% versus a gain of 22.20% for QQQ.
Over three years, KCE compounded at +23.92% per year against +28.38% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.69% and +15.80% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.18% annualized vs +5.82%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KCE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.0% compared with 18.5% 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 -74.4% for KCE and -53.5% 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KCE charges 0.35% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $18 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KCE currently yields 1.57% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 66 holdings in KCE and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% 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 66 positions we hold weights for in KCE and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 66 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 66 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions KCE 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 KCE 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, KCE or QQQ?
KCE has an expense ratio of 0.35% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KCE or QQQ?
Over the past year KCE returned +2.80% vs +24.58% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), KCE annualized +5.82% vs +15.18% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KCE or QQQ?
KCE has been the more volatile fund at 23.0% annualized versus 18.5% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: KCE -74.4% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both KCE and QQQ?
KCE and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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, KCE or QQQ?
KCE yields 1.57% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so KCE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than KCE?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. KCE is less concentrated, with 18.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.