QLVD vs QQQ
Northern Trust Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, QLVD or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QLVD has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QLVD is less concentrated, with 21.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | QLVD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.12%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $51M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.90% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 209 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +6.00% | +24.32%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.08% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.22% | +28.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +7.14% | +16.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.9%Best | 20.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -28.4%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $14,118 | $21,766Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 21.4%Best | 47.2% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 15, 2019 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 16, 2019 to Oct 6, 2026 (7.2 years).
QLVD 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 7.2 years both funds cover.
QLVD vs QQQ Performance
Northern Trust Developed Markets ex-US Quality Low Volatility ETF (QLVD) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QLVD returned +9.08% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, QLVD is up 6.00% versus a gain of 24.32% for QQQ.
Over three years, QLVD compounded at +14.22% per year against +28.30% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +7.14% and +16.83% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.43% annualized vs +6.46%.
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 12.9% for QLVD. 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 -28.4% for QLVD 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLVD charges 0.12% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $12 vs $18 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLVD currently yields 2.90% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
3.1% of QLVD's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings QLVD also owns.
QLVD and QQQ share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 179 positions we hold weights for in QLVD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 209 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for QLVD (97.6% of the fund), and 3 for QLVD that do not appear in QQQ (1.6%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLVD 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, QLVD or QQQ?
QLVD has an expense ratio of 0.12% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QLVD is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLVD or QQQ?
Over the past year QLVD returned +9.08% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), QLVD annualized +6.46% vs +21.43% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLVD or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 12.9% for QLVD. Worst drawdown: QLVD -28.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both QLVD and QQQ?
QLVD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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 QLVD and QQQ?
3.1% of QLVD's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.0% of QQQ's is in holdings QLVD also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 179 positions we hold weights for in QLVD and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, QLVD or QQQ?
QLVD yields 2.90% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QLVD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than QLVD?
QLVD has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QLVD is less concentrated, with 21.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.