MEMX vs QQQ
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Active ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MEMX or QQQ?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MEMX led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. MEMX is less concentrated, with 41.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | MEMX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.79% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $57M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.82% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 75 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +27.45%Best | +22.67% |
| 1Y Return | +45.30%Best | +24.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.20% | +29.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 16.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.3%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.7 years | $20,562 | $27,412Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.0%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | Matthews Asia Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 10, 2023 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 11, 2023 to Oct 2, 2026 (3.7 years).
MEMX 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 3.7 years both funds cover.
MEMX vs QQQ Performance
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Active ETF (MEMX) is an ETF from Matthews Asia Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MEMX returned +45.30% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, MEMX is up 27.45% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, MEMX compounded at +28.20% per year against +29.05% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +31.33% annualized vs +21.51%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MEMX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 16.9% 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 -19.3% for MEMX and -22.8% 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MEMX charges 0.79% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $79 vs $18 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MEMX currently yields 3.82% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 75 holdings in MEMX 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 75 positions we hold weights for in MEMX and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 75 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MEMX (97.8% of the fund), and 5 for MEMX that do not appear in QQQ (7.5%).
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 MEMX 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, MEMX or QQQ?
MEMX has an expense ratio of 0.79% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MEMX or QQQ?
Over the past year MEMX returned +45.30% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so MEMX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), MEMX annualized +21.51% vs +31.33% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MEMX or QQQ?
MEMX has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 16.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: MEMX -19.3% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both MEMX and QQQ?
MEMX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, MEMX or QQQ?
MEMX yields 3.82% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so MEMX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MEMX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MEMX led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. MEMX is less concentrated, with 41.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.