MLPX vs QQQ
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MLPX or QQQ?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MLPX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.1%.
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 | MLPX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $3.6B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.04% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 31 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +27.63%Best | +17.54% |
| 1Y Return | +29.98%Best | +25.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.80%Best | +24.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +23.13%Best | +14.18% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 24.7% | 17.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -77.5% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,302Best | $19,407 |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.1% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 6, 2013 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 7, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (13.1 years).
MLPX 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 13.1 years both funds cover.
MLPX vs QQQ Performance
Global X MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF (MLPX) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MLPX returned +29.98% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, MLPX is up 27.63% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, MLPX compounded at +26.80% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +23.13% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.99% annualized vs +6.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MLPX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 24.7% compared with 17.9% 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 -77.5% for MLPX 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 0.45. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MLPX charges 0.45% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $18 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MLPX currently yields 4.04% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 29 holdings in MLPX and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.4% 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 29 positions we hold weights for in MLPX and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 31 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MLPX (97.5% of the fund), and 26 for MLPX that do not appear in QQQ (79.6%).
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 MLPX 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, MLPX or QQQ?
MLPX has an expense ratio of 0.45% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MLPX or QQQ?
Over the past year MLPX returned +29.98% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so MLPX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), MLPX annualized +6.37% vs +18.99% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MLPX or QQQ?
MLPX has been the more volatile fund at 24.7% annualized versus 17.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: MLPX -77.5% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both MLPX and QQQ?
MLPX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.45, 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, MLPX or QQQ?
MLPX yields 4.04% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so MLPX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MLPX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MLPX led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.