QQQ vs QQQE
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF
Which is better, QQQ or QQQE?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQQE is less concentrated, with 12.6% 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 | QQQ | QQQE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $1.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 0.56% |
| Holdings | 321 | 205 |
| YTD Return | +22.67%Best | +19.14% |
| 1Y Return | +24.33%Best | +18.92% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.05%Best | +19.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.00%Best | +9.85% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4% | 16.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -32.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,924Best | $15,996 |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 12.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Mar 21, 2012 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 21, 2012 to Oct 2, 2026 (14.5 years).
QQQ vs QQQE 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 14.5 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs QQQE Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF (QQQE) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% while QQQE returned +18.92%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.67% versus a gain of 19.14% for QQQE.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +29.05% per year against +19.16% for QQQE; over five years the annualized figures are +17.00% and +9.85% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.33% annualized vs +13.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 16.1% for QQQE. 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -32.1% for QQQE. 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
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while QQQE charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $35 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 0.56% for QQQE.
Holdings Overlap
98.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings QQQE also owns. 97.7% of QQQE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside QQQE. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
99 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 102 in QQQE, against full books of 321 and 205.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for QQQE that do not appear in our book for QQQ (1.3% of the fund), and 1 for QQQ that do not appear in QQQE (0.1%).
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 QQQ | Weight in QQQE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.45% | 1.07% | 7.38% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.80% | 1.10% | 6.70% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.88% | 1.13% | 4.75% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.85% | 1.04% | 3.81% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.41% | 0.98% | 3.43% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.71% | 1.03% | 2.68% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.07% | 1.06% | 2.01% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.92% | 0.86% | 2.06% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.15% | 0.46% | 2.69% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.74% | 0.84% | 1.90% |
98.9% of QQQ is already inside QQQE.
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, QQQ or QQQE?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while QQQE charges 0.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or QQQE?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% vs +18.92% for QQQE, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), QQQ annualized +18.33% vs +13.79% for QQQE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or QQQE?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 16.1% for QQQE. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs QQQE -32.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and QQQE?
QQQ and QQQE 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 QQQ and QQQE?
98.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings QQQE also owns. 97.7% of QQQE's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 99 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 102 in QQQE.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or QQQE?
QQQ yields 0.42% while QQQE yields 0.56%, so QQQE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQE better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQQE is less concentrated, with 12.6% 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.