QQQ vs RIV
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs RiverNorth Opportunities Fund Inc.
Which is better, QQQ or RIV?
Large Cap Growth against Allocation/Balanced.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | RIV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 5.11% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $330M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 11.76% |
| Holdings | 107 | 442 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | -0.35% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | +0.89% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63%Best | +11.65% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24%Best | +2.75% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -55.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,324Best | $11,453 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | RiverNorth |
| Category | Equity | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 23, 2015 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 24, 2015 to Sep 18, 2026 (10.7 years).
QQQ vs RIV 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QQQ vs RIV Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and RiverNorth Opportunities Fund Inc. (RIV) is an ETF from RiverNorth. Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while RIV returned +0.89%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a loss of 0.35% for RIV.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.63% per year against +11.65% for RIV; over five years the annualized figures are +15.24% and +2.75% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.25% annualized vs +0.86%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 15.3% for RIV. 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 -55.6% for RIV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.61. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while RIV charges 5.11%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $511 annually, a gap of $493 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 11.76% for RIV.
Holdings Overlap
At least 3.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings RIV also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for RIV, our book for it lists positions totalling 126.1% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
QQQ and RIV share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 217 days apart, QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026 and RIV as of Dec 31, 2025, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 259 in RIV, against full books of 107 and 442.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in RIV | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.36% | -0.98% | 4.34% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and RIV 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, QQQ or RIV?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while RIV charges 5.11%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $493 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or RIV?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +0.89% for RIV, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), QQQ annualized +19.25% vs +0.86% for RIV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or RIV?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 15.3% for RIV. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs RIV -55.6%.
Should I hold both QQQ and RIV?
QQQ and RIV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.61, 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 QQQ and RIV?
At least 3.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings RIV also owns. Our book for RIV is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 259 in RIV.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or RIV?
QQQ yields 0.44% while RIV yields 11.76%, so RIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RIV better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.