QQQ vs SEPI
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SEPI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SEPI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90.
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 | SEPI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.54% |
| AUM | $437.3B | $192M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 8.35% |
| Holdings | 208 | 275 |
| YTD Return | +7.37% | +10.26%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.77% | +14.39%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.19% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.4% | 10.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.8% | -7.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $11,451 | $12,030Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Shelton Capital Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Sep 8, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 8, 2025 to Nov 6, 2026 (1.2 years).
QQQ vs SEPI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SEPI Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Shelton Equity Premium Income ETF (SEPI) is an ETF from Shelton Capital Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +7.77% while SEPI returned +14.39%. Year to date, QQQ is up 7.37% versus a gain of 10.26% for SEPI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.4% compared with 10.9% for SEPI. 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 -14.8% for QQQ and -7.7% for SEPI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SEPI charges 0.54%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $54 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.43% against 8.35% for SEPI.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SEPI 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 SEPI?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SEPI charges 0.54%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SEPI?
Over the past year QQQ returned +7.77% vs +14.39% for SEPI, so SEPI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QQQ annualized +11.95% vs +16.65% for SEPI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SEPI?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.4% annualized versus 10.9% for SEPI. Worst drawdown: QQQ -14.8% vs SEPI -7.7%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SEPI?
QQQ and SEPI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SEPI?
QQQ yields 0.43% while SEPI yields 8.35%, so SEPI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEPI better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SEPI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.