QQEW vs VTI
First Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QQEW or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QQEW led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQEW is less concentrated, with 25.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | QQEW | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.19% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 102 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +11.47% | +12.08%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.51% | +16.31%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.41% | +20.83%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.95% | +11.89%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.4% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.2% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,993 | $17,537Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.7%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2006 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 25, 2006 to Sep 14, 2026 (20.4 years).
QQEW vs VTI 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
QQEW vs VTI Performance
First Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF (QQEW) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQEW returned +14.51% while VTI returned +16.31%. Year to date, QQEW is up 11.47% versus a gain of 12.08% for VTI.
Over three years, QQEW compounded at +14.41% per year against +20.83% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +6.95% and +11.89% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQEW has the edge at +10.90% annualized vs +9.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 15.7% for VTI. 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 -58.2% for QQEW and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQEW charges 0.55% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $3 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQEW currently yields 0.19% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
93.3% of QQEW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.5% of VTI's money is in holdings QQEW also owns.
Most of QQEW is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
47 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in QQEW and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 102 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,103 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for QQEW (62.0% of the fund), and 1 for QQEW that do not appear in VTI (2.2%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQEW | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 2.03% | 6.40% | 4.37% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.97% | 6.29% | 4.32% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 2.18% | 4.79% | 2.61% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.61% | 2.56% | 0.95% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.86% | 2.90% | 2.04% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.75% | 1.70% | 0.05% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.91% | 1.29% | 0.62% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 0.86% | 2.31% | 1.45% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 2.63% | 0.38% | 2.25% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 2.82% | 0.10% | 2.72% |
93.3% of QQEW is already inside VTI.
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, QQEW or VTI?
QQEW has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQEW or VTI?
Over the past year QQEW returned +14.51% vs +16.31% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQEW annualized +10.90% vs +9.37% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQEW or VTI?
QQEW has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 15.7% for VTI. Worst drawdown: QQEW -58.2% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both QQEW and VTI?
QQEW and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, 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 QQEW and VTI?
93.3% of QQEW's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 35.5% of VTI's is in holdings QQEW also owns. They hold 47 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in QQEW and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQEW or VTI?
QQEW yields 0.19% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QQEW?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QQEW led over the full window, VTI over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQEW is less concentrated, with 25.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.