QQQ vs SAMM
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Strategas Macro Momentum ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SAMM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. SAMM is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | SAMM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.65% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $32M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.95% |
| Holdings | 107 | 35 |
| YTD Return | +21.71%Best | +16.24% |
| 1Y Return | +25.89%Best | +24.95% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.80% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.67% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 15.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -24.6% |
| $10,000 over 2.5 years | $17,403Best | $14,524 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 27.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Strategas Asset Management, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 3, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 4, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026 (2.5 years).
QQQ vs SAMM 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 2.5 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SAMM Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Strategas Macro Momentum ETF (SAMM) is an ETF from Strategas Asset Management, LLC. Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% while SAMM returned +24.95%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.71% versus a gain of 16.24% for SAMM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 15.4% for SAMM. 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 -22.8% for QQQ and -24.6% for SAMM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SAMM charges 0.65%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $65 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.95% for SAMM.
Holdings Overlap
19.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings SAMM also owns. 36.0% of SAMM's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
14 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 40 in SAMM, against full books of 107 and 35.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 24 positions for SAMM that do not appear in our book for QQQ (59.4% of the fund), and 82 for QQQ that do not appear in SAMM (77.7%).
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 SAMM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 2.59% | 1.84% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.45% | 2.47% | 0.98% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.23% | 2.55% | 0.32% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.86% | 2.40% | 0.54% |
| PANWPalo Alto Networks, Inc | 1.30% | 2.81% | 1.51% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 1.69% | 2.42% | 0.73% |
| CRWDCrowdstrike Holdings Inc | 0.94% | 3.14% | 2.20% |
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 0.88% | 2.63% | 1.75% |
| FTNTFortinet Inc | 0.53% | 2.80% | 2.27% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 0.79% | 2.53% | 1.74% |
36.0% of SAMM is already inside QQQ.
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 SAMM?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SAMM charges 0.65%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SAMM?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% vs +24.95% for SAMM, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SAMM?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 15.4% for SAMM. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs SAMM -24.6%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SAMM?
QQQ and SAMM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 SAMM?
36.0% of SAMM's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 36.0% of SAMM's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 14 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 40 in SAMM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SAMM?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SAMM yields 0.95%, so SAMM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SAMM better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. SAMM is less concentrated, with 27.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.