LTL vs QQQ

LTL vs QQQ

Which is better, LTL or QQQ?

Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: QQQHigher Returns: split

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

MetricLTLQQQ
Expense Ratio0.95%0.18%Best
AUM$6M$483.5B
Dividend Yield1.01%0.44%
Holdings28107
YTD Return-9.29%+15.18%Best
1Y Return-13.27%+19.65%Best
3Y Return (annualized)+31.83%Best+24.60%
5Y Return (annualized)+16.32%Best+13.94%
Volatility (annualized)34.1%18.8%Best
Max Drawdown-80.7%-49.4%Best
$10,000 over 5 years$21,295Best$19,204
Fund FamilyProSharesInvesco (US)
CategoryAlternativeEquity
StyleMulti AlternativeLarge Cap Growth
InceptionMar 25, 2008Mar 10, 1999

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 8, 2008 to Sep 15, 2026 (18.4 years).

LTL 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 18.4 years both funds cover.

LTL vs QQQ Performance

ProShares Ultra Communication Services (LTL) is an ETF from ProShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year LTL returned -13.27% while QQQ returned +19.65%. Year to date, LTL is down 9.29% versus a gain of 15.18% for QQQ.

Over three years, LTL compounded at +31.83% per year against +24.60% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +16.32% and +13.94% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +16.24% annualized vs +5.97%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

LTL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 34.1% compared with 18.8% 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 -80.7% for LTL and -49.4% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

LTL charges 0.95% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LTL currently yields 1.01% against 0.44% for QQQ.

Holdings Overlap

QQQ already in LTL12.9%

At least 12.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings LTL also owns.

Stated as a floor: for LTL, our book for it covers 60.7% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.

QQQ and LTL share little of their money.

9 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in LTL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 28 and 107.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in LTLWeight in QQQDifference
METAMeta Platforms Inc10.22%2.78%7.44%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A6.27%3.36%2.91%
GOOGAlphabet Inc5.00%3.13%1.87%
NFLXNetflix, Inc.2.96%1.37%1.59%
TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#5855582.79%0.82%1.97%
CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa2.96%0.39%2.57%
WBDWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc2.83%0.29%2.54%
TTWOTake-Two Interactive Software, Inc.2.39%0.19%2.20%
APPAppLovin Corp. Com Cl A0.81%0.56%0.25%

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of LTL and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

LTLQQQ

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, LTL or QQQ?

LTL has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, LTL or QQQ?

Over the past year LTL returned -13.27% vs +19.65% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), LTL annualized +5.97% vs +16.24% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, LTL or QQQ?

LTL has been the more volatile fund at 34.1% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: LTL -80.7% vs QQQ -49.4%.

Should I hold both LTL and QQQ?

LTL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.

What is the holdings overlap between LTL and QQQ?

At least 12.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings LTL also owns. Our book for LTL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 24 positions we hold weights for in LTL and 102 in QQQ.

Which pays a higher dividend, LTL or QQQ?

LTL yields 1.01% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so LTL currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is QQQ better than LTL?

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. LTL led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.