QQQ vs SEMY
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductor ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SEMY?
Large Cap Growth against Option Writing.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SEMY led 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 | SEMY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.07% |
| AUM | $437.3B | $32M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 168.63% |
| Holdings | 208 | 20 |
| YTD Return | +12.98% | +20.39%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.59% | +24.14%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.05% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 22.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | GraniteShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 18, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
QQQ vs SEMY 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 SEMY Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and GraniteShares YieldBOOST Semiconductor ETF (SEMY) is an ETF from GraniteShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +11.59% while SEMY returned +24.14%. Year to date, QQQ is up 12.98% versus a gain of 20.39% for SEMY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 22.4% for SEMY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
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 SEMY charges 1.07%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $107 annually, a gap of $89 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.43% against 168.63% for SEMY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SEMY 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 SEMY?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SEMY charges 1.07%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $89 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SEMY?
Over the past year QQQ returned +11.59% vs +24.14% for SEMY, so SEMY leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SEMY?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 22.4% for SEMY.
Should I hold both QQQ and SEMY?
QQQ and SEMY 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SEMY?
QQQ yields 0.43% while SEMY yields 168.63%, so SEMY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEMY better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SEMY led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.