QQQ vs SAA
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ProShares Ultra SmallCap600
Which is better, QQQ or SAA?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SAA over 1Y.
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 | SAA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $28M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.79% |
| Holdings | 107 | 607 |
| YTD Return | +17.21% | +27.07%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.10% | +32.50%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.27%Best | +18.71% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.60%Best | +3.07% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8%Best | 41.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5%Best | -88.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,766Best | $11,632 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jan 23, 2007 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 25, 2007 to Sep 17, 2026 (19.6 years).
QQQ vs SAA 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 19.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SAA Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ProShares Ultra SmallCap600 (SAA) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% while SAA returned +32.50%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.21% versus a gain of 27.07% for SAA.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.27% per year against +18.71% for SAA; over five years the annualized figures are +14.60% and +3.07% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.49% annualized vs +8.38%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SAA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.1% compared with 18.8% for QQQ. 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 -53.5% for QQQ and -88.1% for SAA. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SAA charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $95 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.79% for SAA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 595 in SAA, totalling 99.9% and 74.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 595 in SAA, against full books of 107 and 607.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SAA 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 SAA?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SAA charges 0.95%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SAA?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% vs +32.50% for SAA, so SAA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQQ annualized +15.49% vs +8.38% for SAA. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SAA?
SAA has been the more volatile fund at 41.1% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -53.5% vs SAA -88.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SAA?
QQQ and SAA have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SAA?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SAA yields 0.79%, so SAA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SAA better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SAA over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.