MFUS vs QQQ
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MFUS or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MFUS is less concentrated, with 16.0% 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 | MFUS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $297M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.37% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 884 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +15.36%Best | +15.18% |
| 1Y Return | +18.93% | +19.65%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.30% | +24.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.69% | +13.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.2% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,173 | $19,204Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 31, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 6, 2017 to Sep 15, 2026 (9 years).
MFUS 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 9 years both funds cover.
MFUS vs QQQ Performance
PIMCO RAFI Dynamic Multi-Factor US Equity ETF (MFUS) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MFUS returned +18.93% while QQQ returned +19.65%. Year to date, MFUS is up 15.36% versus a gain of 15.18% for QQQ.
Over three years, MFUS compounded at +20.30% per year against +24.60% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.69% and +13.94% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.56% annualized vs +12.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 15.6% for MFUS. 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 -35.2% for MFUS 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MFUS charges 0.29% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $18 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MFUS currently yields 1.37% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
23.6% of MFUS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 69.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings MFUS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
65 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 884 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 31 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MFUS (28.4% of the fund), and 788 for MFUS that do not appear in QQQ (75.3%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in MFUS | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.67% | 8.44% | 7.77% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.24% | 7.27% | 6.03% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.72% | 4.43% | 3.71% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.46% | 3.16% | 1.70% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.30% | 2.23% | 0.07% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.61% | 2.41% | 0.80% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.51% | 3.45% | 2.94% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.55% | 3.36% | 2.81% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.29% | 2.10% | 0.81% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.17% | 2.78% | 2.61% |
69.2% of QQQ is already inside MFUS.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, MFUS or QQQ?
MFUS has an expense ratio of 0.29% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MFUS or QQQ?
Over the past year MFUS returned +18.93% vs +19.65% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), MFUS annualized +12.37% vs +19.56% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MFUS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 15.6% for MFUS. Worst drawdown: MFUS -35.2% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both MFUS and QQQ?
MFUS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 MFUS and QQQ?
69.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings MFUS also owns. 69.2% of QQQ's is in holdings MFUS also owns. They hold 65 positions in common, counted across the 874 positions we hold weights for in MFUS and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, MFUS or QQQ?
MFUS yields 1.37% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so MFUS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MFUS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MFUS is less concentrated, with 16.0% 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.