QQQ vs SEPM
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs FT Vest US Equity Max Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, QQQ or SEPM?
Large Cap Growth against Option Writing.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.
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 | SEPM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $31M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +17.21%Best | +4.75% |
| 1Y Return | +22.10%Best | +6.19% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.27% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.60% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6% | 2.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8% | -3.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $15,031Best | $11,276 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Sep 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2024 to Sep 17, 2026 (2 years).
QQQ vs SEPM 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 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SEPM Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and FT Vest US Equity Max Buffer ETF - September (SEPM) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% while SEPM returned +6.19%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.21% versus a gain of 4.75% for SEPM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 2.7% for SEPM. 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 -3.9% for SEPM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SEPM charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $85 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.00% for SEPM.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SEPM 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 SEPM?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SEPM charges 0.85%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SEPM?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% vs +6.19% for SEPM, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QQQ annualized +22.60% vs +6.19% for SEPM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SEPM?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 2.7% for SEPM. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs SEPM -3.9%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SEPM?
QQQ and SEPM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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 SEPM?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SEPM yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SEPM better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.