QQEW vs VYM
First Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, QQEW or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QQEW led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. QQEW is less concentrated, with 25.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%.
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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.55% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.8B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.19% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 102 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +11.31% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.57% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +14.04% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.83% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.5% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -58.2%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,914 | $17,758Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.7%Best | 25.9% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Apr 19, 2006 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 11, 2026 (19.8 years).
QQEW vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
QQEW vs VYM Performance
First Trust Nasdaq-100 Select Equal Weight ETF (QQEW) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQEW returned +14.57% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, QQEW is up 11.31% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, QQEW compounded at +14.04% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +6.83% and +12.17% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQEW has the edge at +11.01% annualized vs +6.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% compared with 14.5% for VYM. 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 -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQEW charges 0.55% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $55 vs $4 annually, a gap of $51 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQEW currently yields 0.19% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
16.3% of QQEW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.1% of VYM's money is in holdings QQEW also owns.
QQEW and VYM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 63 days apart, QQEW as of Sep 1, 2026 and VYM as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
8 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in QQEW and 603 in VYM, against full books of 102 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 560 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for QQEW (86.4% of the fund), and 40 for QQEW that do not appear in VYM (79.2%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.61% | 7.29% | 5.68% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 2.47% | 0.75% | 1.72% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.50% | 0.37% | 2.13% |
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 2.11% | 0.65% | 1.46% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 2.54% | 0.13% | 2.41% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.89% | 0.77% | 1.12% |
| TMUST-Mobile Usa Inc Esrw Usd Npv Ref Sm#585558 | 1.86% | 0.34% | 1.52% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 1.32% | 0.81% | 0.51% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQEW and VYM 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, QQEW or VYM?
QQEW has an expense ratio of 0.55% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $51 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQEW or VYM?
Over the past year QQEW returned +14.57% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQEW annualized +11.01% vs +6.95% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQEW or VYM?
QQEW has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 14.5% for VYM. Worst drawdown: QQEW -58.2% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both QQEW and VYM?
QQEW and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 QQEW and VYM?
16.3% of QQEW's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 11.1% of VYM's is in holdings QQEW also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in QQEW and 603 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQEW or VYM?
QQEW yields 0.19% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than QQEW?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. QQEW led over the full window, VYM over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. QQEW is less concentrated, with 25.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 25.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.