QLD vs QQQ
ProShares Ultra QQQ vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, QLD or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QLD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00.
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 | QLD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $13.8B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.13% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 127 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +25.79%Best | +15.94% |
| 1Y Return | +32.30%Best | +20.44% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +40.80%Best | +24.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.30%Best | +14.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 38.0% | 18.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -84.0% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,207Best | $19,475 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 21, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (20.2 years).
QLD 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 20.2 years both funds cover.
QLD vs QQQ Performance
ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) is an ETF from ProShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QLD returned +32.30% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, QLD is up 25.79% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, QLD compounded at +40.80% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +17.30% and +14.26% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QLD has the edge at +24.09% annualized vs +15.65%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 38.0% compared with 18.6% 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 -84.0% for QLD 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 1.00. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLD charges 0.95% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLD currently yields 0.13% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 99.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings QLD also owns.
Stated as a floor: for QLD, our book for it covers 78.0% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of QQQ is already inside QLD. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
100 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in QLD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 127 and 107.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QLD | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 5.84% | 8.44% | 2.60% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 5.08% | 7.27% | 2.19% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 4.12% | 5.76% | 1.64% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.05% | 4.67% | 1.62% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.26% | 4.43% | 1.17% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.31% | 3.45% | 1.14% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 2.16% | 3.36% | 1.20% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.00% | 3.13% | 1.13% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.92% | 3.16% | 1.24% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.85% | 2.78% | 0.93% |
99.0% of QQQ is already inside QLD.
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, QLD or QQQ?
QLD has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLD or QQQ?
Over the past year QLD returned +32.30% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so QLD leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QLD annualized +24.09% vs +15.65% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLD or QQQ?
QLD has been the more volatile fund at 38.0% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QLD -84.0% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both QLD and QQQ?
QLD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 1.00, 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.
What is the holdings overlap between QLD and QQQ?
At least 99.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings QLD also owns. Our book for QLD is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 100 positions in common, counted across the 103 positions we hold weights for in QLD and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLD or QQQ?
QLD yields 0.13% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than QLD?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QLD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 1.00. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.