QQQ vs SHRT
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Gotham Short Strategies ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SHRT?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.64, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | SHRT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.35% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $12M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.08% |
| Holdings | 107 | 625 |
| YTD Return | +16.87%Best | -11.81% |
| 1Y Return | +22.98%Best | -11.07% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.98% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.39% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.8% | 13.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -27.8% |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $19,450Best | $8,144 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Gotham ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 6, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.8 years).
QQQ vs SHRT 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 2.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SHRT Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Gotham Short Strategies ETF (SHRT) is an ETF from Gotham ETFs. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% while SHRT returned -11.07%. Year to date, QQQ is up 16.87% versus a loss of 11.81% for SHRT.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.8% compared with 13.0% for SHRT. 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 -27.8% for SHRT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.64. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SHRT charges 1.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $135 annually, a gap of $117 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.08% for SHRT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 34.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings SHRT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for SHRT, our book for it covers 94.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
They hold the same names on opposite sides, so owning both offsets the exposure rather than doubling it.
The two holdings books were reported 127 days apart, QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026 and SHRT as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
32 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 401 in SHRT, against full books of 107 and 625.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in SHRT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 1.57% | 2.86% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.67% | 0.01% | 4.66% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 3.45% | 0.00% | 3.45% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.56% | 0.02% | 2.54% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.41% | 0.02% | 2.39% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.10% | 0.03% | 2.07% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.84% | 0.00% | 1.84% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp 3.125 06/15/2060 | 1.69% | 0.00% | 1.69% |
| SNDKSandisk Corp/De | 0.88% | 0.49% | 0.39% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 1.37% | -0.01% | 1.38% |
34.2% of QQQ is already inside SHRT.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQ or SHRT?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SHRT charges 1.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $117 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SHRT?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% vs -11.07% for SHRT, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SHRT?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.8% annualized versus 13.0% for SHRT. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs SHRT -27.8%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SHRT?
QQQ and SHRT have a monthly-return correlation of -0.64, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and SHRT?
At least 34.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings SHRT also owns. Our book for SHRT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 32 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 401 in SHRT.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SHRT?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SHRT yields 0.08%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SHRT better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.64, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.