QQQ vs SLV
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs iShares Silver Trust
Which is better, QQQ or SLV?
Large Cap Growth against Silver.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, SLV over 1Y, 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 | SLV |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $32.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 1 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | -8.85% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77% | +57.75%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63% | +41.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | +23.85%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6%Best | 32.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5%Best | -76.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,324 | $29,139Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Commodity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Silver |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 21, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.4 years).
QQQ vs SLV 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SLV Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and iShares Silver Trust (SLV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while SLV returned +57.75%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a loss of 8.85% for SLV.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.63% per year against +41.27% for SLV; over five years the annualized figures are +15.24% and +23.85% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.17% annualized vs +7.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SLV has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.5% compared with 18.6% for QQQ. 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 -53.5% for QQQ and -76.3% for SLV. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.23. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SLV charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $50 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.00% for SLV.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SLV 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 SLV?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SLV charges 0.50%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SLV?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +57.75% for SLV, so SLV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQQ annualized +15.17% vs +7.46% for SLV. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SLV?
SLV has been the more volatile fund at 32.5% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -53.5% vs SLV -76.3%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SLV?
QQQ and SLV have a monthly-return correlation of 0.23, 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 SLV?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SLV yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SLV better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, SLV over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.