PHYS vs QQQ
Sprott Physical Gold Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PHYS or QQQ?
Gold against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PHYS led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ 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 | PHYS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $16.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 3 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -2.35% | +21.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.21% | +25.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.77%Best | +28.80% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +18.64%Best | +15.67% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Tie | 17.6%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -48.2% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $23,505Best | $20,706 |
| Fund Family | Sprott Asset Management LP | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 25, 2010 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2010 to Sep 25, 2026 (16.6 years).
PHYS 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 16.6 years both funds cover.
PHYS vs QQQ Performance
Sprott Physical Gold Trust (PHYS) is an ETF from Sprott Asset Management LP and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PHYS returned +12.21% while QQQ returned +25.89%. Year to date, PHYS is down 2.35% versus a gain of 21.71% for QQQ.
Over three years, PHYS compounded at +29.77% per year against +28.80% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +18.64% and +15.67% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.71% annualized vs +7.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PHYS and QQQ have been equally volatile, both at 17.6% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -48.2% for PHYS and -35.1% 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 0.05. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PHYS charges 0.40% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $18 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PHYS currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PHYS 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, PHYS or QQQ?
PHYS has an expense ratio of 0.40% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PHYS or QQQ?
Over the past year PHYS returned +12.21% vs +25.89% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), PHYS annualized +7.61% vs +18.71% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PHYS or QQQ?
PHYS and QQQ have been equally volatile, both at 17.6% annualized. Worst drawdown: PHYS -48.2% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PHYS and QQQ?
PHYS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.05, 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, PHYS or QQQ?
PHYS yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PHYS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PHYS led over 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.