PSCI vs QQQ
Invesco S&P SmallCap Industrials ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PSCI or QQQ?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSCI is less concentrated, with 23.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | PSCI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $176M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.24% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 90 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.68% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.52% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.61% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.07% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.6% | 17.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.3% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,313 | $20,324Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 23.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 7, 2010 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 7, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.4 years).
PSCI 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 16.4 years both funds cover.
PSCI vs QQQ Performance
Invesco S&P SmallCap Industrials ETF (PSCI) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PSCI returned +9.52% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, PSCI is up 7.68% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, PSCI compounded at +18.61% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.07% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.05% annualized vs +12.33%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSCI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.6% 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 -46.3% for PSCI 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSCI charges 0.29% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $18 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSCI currently yields 1.24% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 94 holdings in PSCI and 102 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 94 positions we hold weights for in PSCI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 90 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 94 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions PSCI does not, 97.5% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.44%, AAPL 7.27%, MSFT 5.76%, AMZN 4.67%, MU 4.43%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSCI 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, PSCI or QQQ?
PSCI has an expense ratio of 0.29% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSCI or QQQ?
Over the past year PSCI returned +9.52% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PSCI annualized +12.33% vs +18.05% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSCI or QQQ?
PSCI has been the more volatile fund at 21.6% annualized versus 17.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PSCI -46.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PSCI and QQQ?
PSCI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, PSCI or QQQ?
PSCI yields 1.24% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PSCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PSCI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSCI is less concentrated, with 23.0% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.