PSI vs QQQ
Invesco Semiconductors ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PSI or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSI is less concentrated, with 46.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | PSI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.9B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.04% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 67 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +88.15%Best | +21.44% |
| 1Y Return | +117.56%Best | +23.58% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +54.03%Best | +27.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +29.92%Best | +16.25% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.9% | 18.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $37,015Best | $21,231 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.4%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 23, 2005 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 23, 2005 to Oct 1, 2026 (21.3 years).
PSI 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 21.3 years both funds cover.
PSI vs QQQ Performance
Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PSI returned +117.56% while QQQ returned +23.58%. Year to date, PSI is up 88.15% versus a gain of 21.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, PSI compounded at +54.03% per year against +27.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +29.92% and +16.25% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, PSI has the edge at +17.64% annualized vs +15.26%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.9% compared with 18.4% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSI charges 0.55% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $18 annually, a gap of $37 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSI currently yields 0.04% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
45.4% of PSI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 17.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings PSI also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in PSI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 67 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 86 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for PSI (80.3% of the fund), and 20 for PSI that do not appear in QQQ (52.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSI | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 5.07% | 4.85% | 0.22% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 5.23% | 3.71% | 1.52% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 5.71% | 2.28% | 3.43% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 4.60% | 1.64% | 2.96% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 4.62% | 1.60% | 3.02% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 5.02% | 1.08% | 3.94% |
| KLACKla Corp | 4.78% | 1.04% | 3.74% |
| ADIAnalog Devices, Inc. | 4.94% | 0.82% | 4.12% |
| TERTeradyne Inc - Common | 2.74% | 0.26% | 2.48% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 2.67% | 0.18% | 2.49% |
45.4% of PSI is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PSI or QQQ?
PSI has an expense ratio of 0.55% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $37 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSI or QQQ?
Over the past year PSI returned +117.56% vs +23.58% for QQQ, so PSI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), PSI annualized +17.64% vs +15.26% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSI or QQQ?
PSI has been the more volatile fund at 28.9% annualized versus 18.4% for QQQ.
Should I hold both PSI and QQQ?
PSI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 PSI and QQQ?
45.4% of PSI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 17.5% of QQQ's is in holdings PSI also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 31 positions we hold weights for in PSI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSI or QQQ?
PSI yields 0.04% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PSI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSI is less concentrated, with 46.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.