PSLV vs QQQ
Sprott Physical Silver Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PSLV or QQQ?
Silver against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window.
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 | PSLV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.56% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $13.3B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 3 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -10.40% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +53.00%Best | +21.77% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.22%Best | +25.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.88%Best | +15.24% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.4% | 17.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -79.4% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $28,016Best | $20,324 |
| Fund Family | Sprott Asset Management LP | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Silver | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 27, 2010 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 29, 2010 to Sep 18, 2026 (15.9 years).
PSLV 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 15.9 years both funds cover.
PSLV vs QQQ Performance
Sprott Physical Silver Trust (PSLV) is an ETF from Sprott Asset Management LP and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PSLV returned +53.00% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, PSLV is down 10.40% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, PSLV compounded at +40.22% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +22.88% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.22% annualized vs +4.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
PSLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.4% compared with 17.2% 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 -79.4% for PSLV 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 0.23. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSLV charges 0.56% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $56 vs $18 annually, a gap of $38 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSLV currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSLV 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, PSLV or QQQ?
PSLV has an expense ratio of 0.56% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $38 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSLV or QQQ?
Over the past year PSLV returned +53.00% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so PSLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), PSLV annualized +4.97% vs +18.22% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSLV or QQQ?
PSLV has been the more volatile fund at 32.4% annualized versus 17.2% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: PSLV -79.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PSLV and QQQ?
PSLV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.23, 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, PSLV or QQQ?
PSLV yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PSLV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSLV led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.