PULS vs QQQ
PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PULS or QQQ?
Ultrashort Term Bond against Large Cap Growth.
PULS has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and 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 | PULS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $18.8B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.19% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 930 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +2.71% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +4.22% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.35% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.31% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.4%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -6.1%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,349 | $19,390Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Ultrashort Term Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 5, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2018 to Sep 10, 2026 (8.4 years).
PULS 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
PULS vs QQQ Performance
PGIM Ultra Short Bond ETF (PULS) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PULS returned +4.22% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, PULS is up 2.71% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, PULS compounded at +5.35% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.31% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.69% annualized vs +2.54%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 1.4% for PULS. 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 -6.1% for PULS 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 0.31. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PULS charges 0.15% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $18 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PULS currently yields 5.19% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings PULS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for PULS, our book for it covers 44.8% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and PULS share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 367 positions we hold weights for in PULS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 930 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PULS | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 0.27% | 1.37% | 1.10% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PULS 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, PULS or QQQ?
PULS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while QQQ charges 0.18%. PULS is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PULS or QQQ?
Over the past year PULS returned +4.22% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), PULS annualized +2.54% vs +19.69% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PULS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 1.4% for PULS. Worst drawdown: PULS -6.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both PULS and QQQ?
PULS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.31, 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 PULS and QQQ?
At least 1.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings PULS also owns. Our book for PULS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 367 positions we hold weights for in PULS and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PULS or QQQ?
PULS yields 5.19% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so PULS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PULS?
PULS has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.