KSTR vs QQQ
KraneShares China Technology & Semiconductor STAR 50 Index ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, KSTR or QQQ?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. KSTR led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.5%.
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 | KSTR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $408M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 53 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +19.88%Best | +17.54% |
| 1Y Return | +38.96%Best | +25.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.81% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.29% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3047.2% | 30.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -83.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,371 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 60.5% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | KraneShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 27, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Sep 4, 2026 (27.5 years).
KSTR 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
KSTR vs QQQ Performance
KraneShares China Technology & Semiconductor STAR 50 Index ETF (KSTR) is an ETF from KraneShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year KSTR returned +38.96% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, KSTR is up 19.88% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, KSTR compounded at +20.81% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -1.29% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.05% annualized vs -5.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
KSTR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 3047.2% compared with 30.6% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.04. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
KSTR charges 0.89% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $18 annually, a gap of $71 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, KSTR currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 49 holdings in KSTR and 102 in QQQ, totalling 98.3% 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 49 positions we hold weights for in KSTR and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 53 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for KSTR (97.5% of the fund), and 0 for KSTR that do not appear in QQQ (0.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of KSTR 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, KSTR or QQQ?
KSTR has an expense ratio of 0.89% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $71 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, KSTR or QQQ?
Over the past year KSTR returned +38.96% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so KSTR leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), KSTR annualized -5.17% vs +13.05% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, KSTR or QQQ?
KSTR has been the more volatile fund at 3047.2% annualized versus 30.6% for QQQ.
Should I hold both KSTR and QQQ?
KSTR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.04, 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, KSTR or QQQ?
KSTR yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than KSTR?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. KSTR led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 60.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.