MUNB vs QQQ
Northern Trust 2035 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MUNB or QQQ?
Long Term Municipal Bond against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | MUNB | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Tie | 0.18%Tie |
| AUM | $14M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 253 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -1.02% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.66% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.4%Best | 21.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -2.8%Best | -12.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,092 | $12,787Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Municipal Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 19, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.1 years).
MUNB 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
MUNB vs QQQ Performance
Northern Trust 2035 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNB) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MUNB returned -0.66% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, MUNB is down 1.02% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 3.4% for MUNB. 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 -2.8% for MUNB and -12.0% 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUNB charges 0.18% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $18 annually. On income, MUNB currently yields 2.23% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 19 holdings in MUNB and 102 in QQQ, totalling 11.8% 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 19 positions we hold weights for in MUNB and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 253 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUNB 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, MUNB or QQQ?
MUNB has an expense ratio of 0.18% while QQQ charges 0.18%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, MUNB or QQQ?
Over the past year MUNB returned -0.66% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), MUNB annualized +0.84% vs +25.04% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MUNB or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 3.4% for MUNB. Worst drawdown: MUNB -2.8% vs QQQ -12.0%.
Should I hold both MUNB and QQQ?
MUNB and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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, MUNB or QQQ?
MUNB yields 2.23% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so MUNB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MUNB?
QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.