NUMG vs QQQ
Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, NUMG or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUMG is less concentrated, with 31.0% 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 | NUMG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $355M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 44 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -2.98% | +21.16%Best |
| 1Y Return | -5.10% | +24.78%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.15% | +27.95%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -1.88% | +15.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 19.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.0% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,095 | $20,430Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 31.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 13, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 14, 2016 to Sep 24, 2026 (9.8 years).
NUMG 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
NUMG vs QQQ Performance
Nuveen ESG Mid-Cap Growth ETF (NUMG) is an ETF from Nuveen and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year NUMG returned -5.10% while QQQ returned +24.78%. Year to date, NUMG is down 2.98% versus a gain of 21.16% for QQQ.
Over three years, NUMG compounded at +8.15% per year against +27.95% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -1.88% and +15.36% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.85% annualized vs +8.91%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
NUMG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 19.2% 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 -39.0% for NUMG 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUMG charges 0.31% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $18 annually, a gap of $13 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUMG currently yields 0.01% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
12.9% of NUMG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings NUMG also owns.
NUMG and QQQ share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUMG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 44 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for NUMG (96.7% of the fund), and 39 for NUMG that do not appear in QQQ (82.7%).
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 NUMG 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, NUMG or QQQ?
NUMG has an expense ratio of 0.31% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $13 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUMG or QQQ?
Over the past year NUMG returned -5.10% vs +24.78% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), NUMG annualized +8.91% vs +20.85% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUMG or QQQ?
NUMG has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 19.2% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: NUMG -39.0% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both NUMG and QQQ?
NUMG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 NUMG and QQQ?
12.9% of NUMG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.8% of QQQ's is in holdings NUMG also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in NUMG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUMG or QQQ?
NUMG yields 0.01% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than NUMG?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. NUMG is less concentrated, with 31.0% 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.