PSL vs QQQ
Invesco Dorsey Wright Consumer Staples Momentum ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PSL 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. PSL is less concentrated, with 40.0% 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 | PSL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $84M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.73% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 50 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.71% | +21.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.28% | +24.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.29% | +27.99%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.79% | +15.39%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.0%Best | 18.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -42.0%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,636 | $20,457Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 40.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 12, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 12, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
PSL 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
PSL vs QQQ Performance
Invesco Dorsey Wright Consumer Staples Momentum ETF (PSL) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PSL returned -0.28% while QQQ returned +24.36%. Year to date, PSL is up 7.71% versus a gain of 21.18% for QQQ.
Over three years, PSL compounded at +9.29% per year against +27.99% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.79% and +15.39% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.63% annualized vs +7.90%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.7% compared with 14.0% for PSL. 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 -42.0% for PSL and -53.5% 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 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSL charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSL currently yields 0.73% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
9.6% of PSL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings PSL also owns.
PSL and QQQ share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PSL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 50 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 48 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 93 positions PSL does not, 95.1% 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 PSL 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, PSL or QQQ?
PSL has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSL or QQQ?
Over the past year PSL returned -0.28% vs +24.36% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), PSL annualized +7.90% vs +15.63% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.7% annualized versus 14.0% for PSL. Worst drawdown: PSL -42.0% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both PSL and QQQ?
PSL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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 PSL and QQQ?
9.6% of PSL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.4% of QQQ's is in holdings PSL also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in PSL and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSL or QQQ?
PSL yields 0.73% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PSL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PSL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. PSL is less concentrated, with 40.0% 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.