PPEM vs QQQ
Putnam PanAgora ESG Emerging Markets Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PPEM or QQQ?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PPEM led over 1Y, QQQ over 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 | PPEM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 49.41% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 116 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 17.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.4%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 3.4 years | $19,275 | $25,635Best |
| Fund Family | Putnam Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | 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 86 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. PPEM has data through Jun 9, 2026 and QQQ through Sep 3, 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 16.7% for PPEM. 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 -18.4% for PPEM 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 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PPEM 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, PPEM currently yields 49.41% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 109 holdings in PPEM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 108.0% 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 159 days apart, PPEM as of Feb 27, 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 109 positions we hold weights for in PPEM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 116 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PPEM 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, PPEM or QQQ?
PPEM 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 is riskier, PPEM or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 16.7% for PPEM. Worst drawdown: PPEM -18.4% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PPEM and QQQ?
PPEM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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, PPEM or QQQ?
PPEM yields 49.41% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PPEM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PPEM?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PPEM led over 1Y, QQQ over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.