PSCT vs QQQ
Invesco S&P SmallCap Information Technology ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PSCT or QQQ?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSCT led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSCT is less concentrated, with 30.1% 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 | PSCT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $484M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 71 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +35.99%Best | +17.44% |
| 1Y Return | +58.99%Best | +24.69% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.81% | +24.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.23% | +14.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.6% | 17.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.4% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,274 | $19,441Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 30.1%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 8, 2026 (16.4 years).
PSCT 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.
PSCT vs QQQ Performance
Invesco S&P SmallCap Information Technology ETF (PSCT) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PSCT returned +58.99% while QQQ returned +24.69%. Year to date, PSCT is up 35.99% versus a gain of 17.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, PSCT compounded at +20.81% per year against +24.76% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.23% and +14.22% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.05% annualized vs +14.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSCT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.6% 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 -40.4% for PSCT 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSCT 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, PSCT currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 70 holdings in PSCT 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 70 positions we hold weights for in PSCT and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 71 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for PSCT (96.8% of the fund), and 68 for PSCT that do not appear in QQQ (96.8%).
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 PSCT 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, PSCT or QQQ?
PSCT 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, PSCT or QQQ?
Over the past year PSCT returned +58.99% vs +24.69% for QQQ, so PSCT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PSCT annualized +14.72% vs +18.05% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSCT or QQQ?
PSCT has been the more volatile fund at 22.6% annualized versus 17.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PSCT -40.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PSCT and QQQ?
PSCT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, PSCT or QQQ?
PSCT yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PSCT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSCT led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSCT is less concentrated, with 30.1% 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.