MLPB vs QQQ
ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MLPB or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MLPB led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. MLPB is less concentrated, with 35.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.9%.
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 | MLPB | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $210M | $437.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.83% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 41 | 208 |
| YTD Return | +14.71%Best | +7.37% |
| 1Y Return | +18.59%Best | +7.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.23% | +21.44%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.42%Best | +11.19% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.6% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,288Best | $16,995 |
| Top 10 Weight | 35.1%Best | 46.9% |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 9, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 9, 2015 to Nov 6, 2026 (11.1 years).
MLPB 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 11.1 years both funds cover.
MLPB vs QQQ Performance
ETRACS Alerian MLP Infrastructure Index ETN Series B (MLPB) is an ETF from UBS AG and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MLPB returned +18.59% while QQQ returned +7.77%. Year to date, MLPB is up 14.71% versus a gain of 7.37% for QQQ.
Over three years, MLPB compounded at +16.23% per year against +21.44% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +18.42% and +11.19% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.19% annualized vs +2.44%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% 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 -77.6% for MLPB 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 0.39. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPB charges 0.85% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $18 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPB currently yields 5.83% against 0.43% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
31.1% of MLPB's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 34.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings MLPB also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
11 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in MLPB and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 41 and 208.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 83 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MLPB (62.5% of the fund), and 23 for MLPB that do not appear in QQQ (54.2%).
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 MLPB | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple Inc | 2.86% | 7.68% | 4.82% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.49% | 6.16% | 3.67% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 2.73% | 4.23% | 1.50% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.79% | 2.93% | 0.86% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.86% | 2.52% | 1.34% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.54% | 3.37% | 0.83% |
| AMATApplied Material | 4.25% | 1.45% | 2.80% |
| WMTWalmart Inc | 2.75% | 2.43% | 0.32% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 2.07% | 1.84% | 0.23% |
| NFLXNetflix Inc | 1.69% | 1.28% | 0.41% |
34.7% of QQQ is already inside MLPB.
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, MLPB or QQQ?
MLPB has an expense ratio of 0.85% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPB or QQQ?
Over the past year MLPB returned +18.59% vs +7.77% for QQQ, so MLPB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), MLPB annualized +2.44% vs +18.19% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPB or QQQ?
MLPB has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: MLPB -77.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both MLPB and QQQ?
MLPB and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.39, 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 MLPB and QQQ?
34.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings MLPB also owns. 34.7% of QQQ's is in holdings MLPB also owns. They hold 11 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in MLPB and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, MLPB or QQQ?
MLPB yields 5.83% while QQQ yields 0.43%, so MLPB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MLPB?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MLPB led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. MLPB is less concentrated, with 35.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.