PRNT vs QQQ
The 3D Printing ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PRNT or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.0%.
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 | PRNT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.66% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $59M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 44 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +6.56% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.67% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.33% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -9.23% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 26.2% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -66.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,162 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 48.0% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Ark Invest | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 18, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 19, 2016 to Sep 10, 2026 (10.1 years).
PRNT 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 10.1 years both funds cover.
PRNT vs QQQ Performance
The 3D Printing ETF (PRNT) is an ETF from Ark Invest and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PRNT returned +6.67% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, PRNT is up 6.56% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, PRNT compounded at +4.33% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -9.23% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.32% annualized vs +2.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PRNT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 26.2% compared with 18.9% 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 -66.1% for PRNT 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 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PRNT charges 0.66% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $66 vs $18 annually, a gap of $48 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PRNT currently yields 0.73% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
9.8% of PRNT's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings PRNT also owns.
PRNT and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in PRNT and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 44 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for PRNT (96.5% of the fund), and 24 for PRNT that do not appear in QQQ (57.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PRNT 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, PRNT or QQQ?
PRNT has an expense ratio of 0.66% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $48 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PRNT or QQQ?
Over the past year PRNT returned +6.67% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), PRNT annualized +2.20% vs +20.32% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PRNT or QQQ?
PRNT has been the more volatile fund at 26.2% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PRNT -66.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PRNT and QQQ?
PRNT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PRNT and QQQ?
9.8% of PRNT's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.6% of QQQ's is in holdings PRNT also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in PRNT and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PRNT or QQQ?
PRNT yields 0.73% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PRNT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PRNT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 48.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.