QQQ vs SCHF
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Schwab International Equity ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SCHF?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHF over 1Y. SCHF is less concentrated, with 13.8% 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 | SCHF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $483.5B | $69.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 2.98% |
| Holdings | 107 | 1,493 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | +14.52% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77% | +23.21%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63%Best | +20.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24%Best | +10.57% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 15.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -38.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,324Best | $16,527 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 13.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Charles Schwab Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 3, 2009 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 3, 2009 to Sep 18, 2026 (16.9 years).
QQQ vs SCHF 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 SCHF Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while SCHF returned +23.21%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a gain of 14.52% for SCHF.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.63% per year against +20.03% for SCHF; over five years the annualized figures are +15.24% and +10.57% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.71% annualized vs +5.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 15.7% for SCHF. 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 -38.6% for SCHF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SCHF charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $3 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 2.98% for SCHF.
Holdings Overlap
2.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings SCHF also owns. 3.9% of SCHF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
SCHF and QQQ share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 1,447 in SCHF, against full books of 107 and 1,493.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 20 positions for SCHF that do not appear in our book for QQQ (2.7% of the fund), and 95 for QQQ that do not appear in SCHF (97.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SCHF 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 SCHF?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SCHF charges 0.03%. SCHF is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SCHF?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +23.21% for SCHF, so SCHF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), QQQ annualized +18.71% vs +5.94% for SCHF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SCHF?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 15.7% for SCHF. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SCHF -38.6%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SCHF?
QQQ and SCHF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 SCHF?
3.9% of SCHF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.9% of SCHF's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 1,447 in SCHF.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SCHF?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SCHF yields 2.98%, so SCHF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SCHF better than QQQ?
SCHF has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, SCHF over 1Y. SCHF is less concentrated, with 13.8% 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.