PHYD vs QQQ
Putnam ESG High Yield ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PHYD 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 | PHYD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.98% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 323 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.5%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -4.3%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $12,934 | $25,635Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 19, 2023 | 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 101 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PHYD has data through Jun 9, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 18, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 20, 2023 to Jun 9, 2026 (3.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 4.5% for PHYD. 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 -4.3% for PHYD 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHYD charges 0.55% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $18 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHYD currently yields 8.98% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 266 holdings in PHYD and 102 in QQQ, totalling 82.5% 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 187 days apart, PHYD as of Jan 30, 2026 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 266 positions we hold weights for in PHYD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 323 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHYD 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, PHYD or QQQ?
PHYD has an expense ratio of 0.55% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PHYD or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 4.5% for PHYD. Worst drawdown: PHYD -4.3% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PHYD and QQQ?
PHYD 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, PHYD or QQQ?
PHYD yields 8.98% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PHYD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PHYD?
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.