QGRD vs QQQ
Horizon Nasdaq-100 Defined Risk ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, QGRD or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
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 | QGRD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $165M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 10 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.46% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.53% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +25.27% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +14.60% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 20.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.4%Best | -12.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,957 | $13,003Best |
| Fund Family | Horizon Funds | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 9, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 10, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.2 years).
QGRD 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
QGRD vs QQQ Performance
Horizon Nasdaq-100 Defined Risk ETF (QGRD) is an ETF from Horizon Funds and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QGRD returned +13.53% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, QGRD is up 10.46% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 15.5% for QGRD. 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 -9.4% for QGRD and -12.0% 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 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QGRD charges 0.85% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $18 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QGRD currently yields 1.42% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in QGRD and 102 in QQQ, totalling 4.1% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in QGRD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 10 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QGRD 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, QGRD or QQQ?
QGRD has an expense ratio of 0.85% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QGRD or QQQ?
Over the past year QGRD returned +13.53% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QGRD annualized +16.06% vs +24.46% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QGRD or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 15.5% for QGRD. Worst drawdown: QGRD -9.4% vs QQQ -12.0%.
Should I hold both QGRD and QQQ?
QGRD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QGRD or QQQ?
QGRD yields 1.42% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QGRD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than QGRD?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.