PQJA vs QQQ
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PQJA or QQQ?
Option Writing against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | PQJA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $34M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 8 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +12.80% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.92% | +24.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +29.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.7%Best | 19.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.7%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $13,090 | $14,661Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Option Writing | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 2, 2025 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.7 years).
PQJA 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 1.7 years both funds cover.
PQJA vs QQQ Performance
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - January (PQJA) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PQJA returned +16.92% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, PQJA is up 12.80% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 9.7% for PQJA. 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 -14.7% for PQJA 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 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PQJA charges 0.50% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $18 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PQJA currently yields 0.00% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PQJA 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, PQJA or QQQ?
PQJA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PQJA or QQQ?
Over the past year PQJA returned +16.92% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PQJA annualized +17.16% vs +25.24% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PQJA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 9.7% for PQJA. Worst drawdown: PQJA -14.7% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PQJA and QQQ?
PQJA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, PQJA or QQQ?
PQJA yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PQJA?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.