QQQ vs SGOL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SGOL?
Large Cap Growth against Gold.
SGOL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window, SGOL over 3Y and 5Y.
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 | SGOL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.17%Best |
| AUM | $483.5B | $7.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 1 |
| YTD Return | +17.21%Best | +0.19% |
| 1Y Return | +22.10%Best | +18.48% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.27% | +30.81%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.60% | +19.73%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6% | 16.7%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -45.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,766 | $24,605Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Aberdeen |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Gold |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Sep 9, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2009 to Sep 17, 2026 (17 years).
QQQ vs SGOL 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 17 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SGOL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (SGOL) is an ETF from Aberdeen. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% while SGOL returned +18.48%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.21% versus a gain of 0.19% for SGOL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.27% per year against +30.81% for SGOL; over five years the annualized figures are +14.60% and +19.73% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.52% annualized vs +8.76%.
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 16.7% for SGOL. 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 -45.5% for SGOL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.10. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SGOL charges 0.17%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $17 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.00% for SGOL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SGOL 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 SGOL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SGOL charges 0.17%. SGOL is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SGOL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% vs +18.48% for SGOL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), QQQ annualized +18.52% vs +8.76% for SGOL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SGOL?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 16.7% for SGOL. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SGOL -45.5%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SGOL?
QQQ and SGOL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.10, 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 SGOL?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SGOL yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SGOL better than QQQ?
SGOL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window, SGOL over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.