PBE vs QQQ
Invesco Biotechnology and Genome ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PBE or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PBE led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PBE is less concentrated, with 45.8% 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 | PBE | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $399M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.70% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 33 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +19.85%Best | +17.54% |
| 1Y Return | +41.64%Best | +25.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.00% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.99% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.1% | 18.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -45.7%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,757 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.8%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 23, 2005 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2005 to Sep 4, 2026 (21.2 years).
PBE 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 21.2 years both funds cover.
PBE vs QQQ Performance
Invesco Biotechnology and Genome ETF (PBE) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PBE returned +41.64% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, PBE is up 19.85% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, PBE compounded at +18.00% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.99% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.14% annualized vs +9.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PBE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.1% compared with 18.4% 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 -45.7% for PBE 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PBE charges 0.58% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $18 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PBE currently yields 1.70% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
23.2% of PBE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings PBE also owns.
PBE and QQQ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in PBE and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 33 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for PBE (94.8% of the fund), and 24 for PBE that do not appear in QQQ (69.2%).
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.
23.2% of PBE 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, PBE or QQQ?
PBE has an expense ratio of 0.58% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PBE or QQQ?
Over the past year PBE returned +41.64% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so PBE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), PBE annualized +9.45% vs +15.14% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PBE or QQQ?
PBE has been the more volatile fund at 21.1% annualized versus 18.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PBE -45.7% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both PBE and QQQ?
PBE and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 PBE and QQQ?
23.2% of PBE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.7% of QQQ's is in holdings PBE also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in PBE and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PBE or QQQ?
PBE yields 1.70% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PBE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PBE?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PBE led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PBE is less concentrated, with 45.8% 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.