PLDR vs QQQ
Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PLDR or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93.
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 | PLDR | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $3M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 56 | 321 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1%Best | 20.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,450 | $21,701Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 25, 2021 | 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 119 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PLDR has data through Jun 9, 2026 and QQQ through Oct 6, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 26, 2021 to Jun 9, 2026 (5 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% compared with 17.1% for PLDR. 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 -29.6% for PLDR 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PLDR charges 0.59% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $59 vs $18 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PLDR currently yields 0.35% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 48.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings PLDR also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PLDR, our book for it covers 92.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 200 days apart, PLDR as of Feb 27, 2026 and QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
18 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 56 and 321.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PLDR | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.17% | 8.45% | 0.28% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 8.25% | 7.80% | 0.45% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.63% | 5.88% | 1.25% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 6.19% | 3.15% | 3.04% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.85% | 4.41% | 0.44% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.58% | 2.74% | 0.84% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.87% | 3.07% | 0.20% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 1.76% | 2.92% | 1.16% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.33% | 2.31% | 0.98% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Cor P | 1.41% | 1.77% | 0.36% |
48.3% of QQQ is already inside PLDR.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PLDR or QQQ?
PLDR has an expense ratio of 0.59% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, PLDR or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 17.1% for PLDR. Worst drawdown: PLDR -29.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PLDR and QQQ?
PLDR and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PLDR and QQQ?
At least 48.3% of QQQ's money is in holdings PLDR also owns. Our book for PLDR is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 52 positions we hold weights for in PLDR and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PLDR or QQQ?
PLDR yields 0.35% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PLDR?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.