PCIG vs QQQ
Polen Capital International Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PCIG or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
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 | PCIG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $26M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 34 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -23.4% | -22.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $9,353 | $17,018Best |
| Fund Family | iMGP Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 1, 2024 | 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 35 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PCIG has data through Aug 14, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 15, 2024 to Aug 14, 2026 (2.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.5% for PCIG. 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 -23.4% for PCIG and -22.8% 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCIG charges 0.85% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $18 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCIG currently yields 0.15% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings PCIG also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PCIG, our book for it covers 93.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and PCIG share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PCIG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 34 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCIG 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, PCIG or QQQ?
PCIG has an expense ratio of 0.85% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PCIG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.5% for PCIG. Worst drawdown: PCIG -23.4% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PCIG and QQQ?
PCIG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 PCIG and QQQ?
At least 2.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings PCIG also owns. Our book for PCIG is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 30 positions we hold weights for in PCIG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PCIG or QQQ?
PCIG yields 0.15% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PCIG?
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.