MGC vs QQQ
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MGC or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
MGC has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. MGC is less concentrated, with 45.5% 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 | MGC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.05%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $10.3B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.89% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 175 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +14.22% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.25% | +24.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.21% | +29.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.86% | +17.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 19.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.0% | -51.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,991 | $21,924Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.5%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 17, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 24, 2007 to Oct 2, 2026 (18.8 years).
MGC 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 18.8 years both funds cover.
MGC vs QQQ Performance
Vanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF (MGC) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MGC returned +17.25% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, MGC is up 14.22% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, MGC compounded at +25.21% per year against +29.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.86% and +17.00% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.45% annualized vs +10.05%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 15.6% for MGC. 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 -53.0% for MGC and -51.3% 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 0.92. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MGC charges 0.05% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $5 vs $18 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MGC currently yields 0.89% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
61.3% of MGC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 88.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings MGC also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside MGC. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, MGC as of Jul 31, 2026 and QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
58 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in MGC and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 175 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 38 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MGC (8.9% of the fund), and 114 for MGC that do not appear in QQQ (38.4%).
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 MGC | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.75% | 8.45% | 0.30% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.60% | 7.80% | 0.80% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.55% | 5.88% | 0.67% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.99% | 4.41% | 0.58% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.96% | 3.15% | 0.81% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.76% | 4.85% | 3.09% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.49% | 2.74% | 0.75% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.15% | 2.93% | 0.22% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.32% | 3.07% | 0.75% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.47% | 3.71% | 2.24% |
88.9% of QQQ is already inside MGC.
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, MGC or QQQ?
MGC has an expense ratio of 0.05% while QQQ charges 0.18%. MGC is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MGC or QQQ?
Over the past year MGC returned +17.25% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), MGC annualized +10.05% vs +15.45% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MGC or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 15.6% for MGC. Worst drawdown: MGC -53.0% vs QQQ -51.3%.
Should I hold both MGC and QQQ?
MGC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.92, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between MGC and QQQ?
88.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings MGC also owns. 88.9% of QQQ's is in holdings MGC also owns. They hold 58 positions in common, counted across the 172 positions we hold weights for in MGC and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, MGC or QQQ?
MGC yields 0.89% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so MGC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MGC?
MGC has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.92. MGC is less concentrated, with 45.5% 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.