PQJL vs QQQ
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PQJL 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 0.94.
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 | PQJL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $25M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.01% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 8 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +6.46% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.82% | +20.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +24.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.3%Best | 20.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -12.3%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.7 years | $12,352 | $14,010Best |
| 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 Sep 14, 2026 (1.7 years).
PQJL 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.
PQJL vs QQQ Performance
PGIM Nasdaq-100 Buffer 12 ETF - July (PQJL) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PQJL returned +9.82% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, PQJL is up 6.46% versus a gain of 15.94% 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 20.2% compared with 9.3% for PQJL. 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 -12.3% for PQJL 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 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PQJL 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, PQJL currently yields 0.01% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PQJL 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, PQJL or QQQ?
PQJL 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, PQJL or QQQ?
Over the past year PQJL returned +9.82% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PQJL annualized +13.23% vs +21.94% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PQJL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 9.3% for PQJL. Worst drawdown: PQJL -12.3% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PQJL and QQQ?
PQJL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, 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, PQJL or QQQ?
PQJL yields 0.01% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PQJL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.