NDVG vs QQQ
Nuveen Dividend Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, NDVG or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. NDVG is less concentrated, with 43.3% 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 | NDVG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $13M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 43 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.1%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.7%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 4.7 years | $14,252 | $16,442Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 43.3%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 4, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 158 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NDVG has data through Apr 6, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Apr 6, 2026 (4.7 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 14.1% for NDVG. 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 -19.7% for NDVG 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NDVG charges 0.65% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $18 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NDVG currently yields 1.09% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
30.2% of NDVG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 22.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings NDVG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 217 days apart, NDVG as of Dec 31, 2025 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
10 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 43 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 85 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for NDVG (74.6% of the fund), and 27 for NDVG that do not appear in QQQ (58.3%).
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 NDVG | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 6.70% | 7.27% | 0.57% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 7.90% | 5.76% | 2.14% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.85% | 3.16% | 2.69% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 1.51% | 2.78% | 1.27% |
| LINLinde Plc (united Kingdom) | 1.72% | 1.00% | 0.72% |
| HONHoneywell Intl | 2.04% | 0.35% | 1.69% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.11% | 0.83% | 0.28% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 1.16% | 0.53% | 0.63% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp. Class A | 1.11% | 0.39% | 0.72% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc. Class A | 1.09% | 0.35% | 0.74% |
30.2% of NDVG is already inside QQQ.
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, NDVG or QQQ?
NDVG has an expense ratio of 0.65% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NDVG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 14.1% for NDVG. Worst drawdown: NDVG -19.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both NDVG and QQQ?
NDVG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 NDVG and QQQ?
30.2% of NDVG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 22.4% of QQQ's is in holdings NDVG also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 41 positions we hold weights for in NDVG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, NDVG or QQQ?
NDVG yields 1.09% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so NDVG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than NDVG?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. NDVG is less concentrated, with 43.3% 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.