PFI vs QQQ
Invesco Dorsey Wright Financial Momentum ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PFI or QQQ?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PFI is less concentrated, with 37.1% 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 | PFI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $59M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 50 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.22% | +17.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.10% | +24.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.42% | +24.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.87% | +14.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4%Best | 18.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -60.3% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,684 | $19,441Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.1%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 12, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2006 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.9 years).
PFI 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
PFI vs QQQ Performance
Invesco Dorsey Wright Financial Momentum ETF (PFI) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PFI returned +10.10% while QQQ returned +24.69%. Year to date, PFI is up 7.22% versus a gain of 17.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, PFI compounded at +15.42% per year against +24.76% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.87% and +14.22% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.49% annualized vs +5.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 18.4% for PFI. 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 -60.3% for PFI 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PFI charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFI currently yields 0.98% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 38 holdings in PFI and 102 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 38 positions we hold weights for in PFI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 50 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for PFI (96.8% of the fund), and 37 for PFI that do not appear in QQQ (97.6%).
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 PFI 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, PFI or QQQ?
PFI has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFI or QQQ?
Over the past year PFI returned +10.10% vs +24.69% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PFI annualized +5.15% vs +15.49% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 18.4% for PFI. Worst drawdown: PFI -60.3% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both PFI and QQQ?
PFI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, PFI or QQQ?
PFI yields 0.98% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PFI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PFI is less concentrated, with 37.1% 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.