MXI vs QQQ
iShares Global Materials ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MXI or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MXI is less concentrated, with 39.0% 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 | MXI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $387M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 114 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +15.05% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.52%Best | +22.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.21% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.54% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -68.7% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,383 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 12, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2006 to Sep 10, 2026 (20 years).
MXI 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.
MXI vs QQQ Performance
iShares Global Materials ETF (MXI) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MXI returned +25.52% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, MXI is up 15.05% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, MXI compounded at +14.21% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.54% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.64% annualized vs +5.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MXI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 18.6% 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 -68.7% for MXI and -53.5% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MXI charges 0.37% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $18 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MXI currently yields 1.70% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
8.1% of MXI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings MXI also owns.
MXI and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 114 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MXI (96.0% of the fund), and 28 for MXI that do not appear in QQQ (29.4%).
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 MXI | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 8.08% | 1.00% | 7.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MXI 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, MXI or QQQ?
MXI has an expense ratio of 0.37% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MXI or QQQ?
Over the past year MXI returned +25.52% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so MXI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), MXI annualized +5.12% vs +15.64% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MXI or QQQ?
MXI has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: MXI -68.7% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both MXI and QQQ?
MXI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 MXI and QQQ?
8.1% of MXI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.0% of QQQ's is in holdings MXI also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in MXI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, MXI or QQQ?
MXI yields 1.70% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so MXI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MXI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. MXI led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MXI is less concentrated, with 39.0% 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.