NSCS vs QQQ
Nuveen Small Cap Select ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, NSCS or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. 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 | NSCS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.86% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $7M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 82 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.8%Best | 21.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.6%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.9 years | $10,688 | $14,777Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small 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), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 459 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. NSCS has data through Jun 23, 2025 and QQQ through Sep 25, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 5, 2021 to Jun 23, 2025 (3.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 20.8% for NSCS. 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 -30.6% for NSCS 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NSCS charges 0.86% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $86 vs $18 annually, a gap of $68 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NSCS currently yields 0.31% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NSCS 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, NSCS or QQQ?
NSCS has an expense ratio of 0.86% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $68 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, NSCS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 20.8% for NSCS. Worst drawdown: NSCS -30.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both NSCS and QQQ?
NSCS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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, NSCS or QQQ?
NSCS yields 0.31% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than NSCS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. 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.