PCN vs QQQ
PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PCN or QQQ?
Diversified Sectoral Bond against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | PCN | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.29% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $870M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 11.85% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 526 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -0.69% | +17.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.92% | +24.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.08% | +24.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.71% | +14.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.7% | 19.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.7% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,885 | $19,441Best |
| Fund Family | PIMCO (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Diversified Sectoral Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 21, 2001 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 19, 2001 to Sep 8, 2026 (24.7 years).
PCN 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
PCN vs QQQ Performance
PIMCO Corporate & Income Strategy Fund (PCN) is an ETF from PIMCO (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PCN returned -0.92% while QQQ returned +24.69%. Year to date, PCN is down 0.69% versus a gain of 17.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, PCN compounded at +5.08% per year against +24.76% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +1.71% and +14.22% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +12.48% annualized vs +1.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PCN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.7% compared with 19.4% 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 -66.7% for PCN 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 0.35. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PCN charges 1.29% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $129 vs $18 annually, a gap of $111 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PCN currently yields 11.85% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 23 holdings in PCN and 102 in QQQ, totalling 7.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 309 days apart, PCN as of Sep 30, 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.
0 positions in common, counted across the 23 positions we hold weights for in PCN and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 526 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PCN 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, PCN or QQQ?
PCN has an expense ratio of 1.29% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $111 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PCN or QQQ?
Over the past year PCN returned -0.92% vs +24.69% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), PCN annualized +1.27% vs +12.48% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PCN or QQQ?
PCN has been the more volatile fund at 21.7% annualized versus 19.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PCN -66.7% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both PCN and QQQ?
PCN and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.35, 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, PCN or QQQ?
PCN yields 11.85% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PCN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PCN?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.