PPLT vs QQQ
abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PPLT or QQQ?
Precious Metals against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PPLT led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y 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 | PPLT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 1 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -16.14% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +29.29%Best | +21.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.34% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.87% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.5% | 17.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,145 | $20,324Best |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Precious Metals | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 8, 2010 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 8, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.7 years).
PPLT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
PPLT vs QQQ Performance
abrdn Physical Platinum Shares ETF (PPLT) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PPLT returned +29.29% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, PPLT is down 16.14% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, PPLT compounded at +23.34% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +13.87% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.07% annualized vs +0.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PPLT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.5% compared with 17.6% for QQQ. 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 -70.7% for PPLT 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PPLT 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, PPLT currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PPLT 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, PPLT or QQQ?
PPLT 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, PPLT or QQQ?
Over the past year PPLT returned +29.29% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so PPLT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), PPLT annualized +0.15% vs +18.07% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PPLT or QQQ?
PPLT has been the more volatile fund at 23.5% annualized versus 17.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PPLT -70.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PPLT and QQQ?
PPLT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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, PPLT or QQQ?
PPLT yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PPLT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PPLT led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.