QQQ vs SMCL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Graniteshares 2x Long SMCI Daily ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SMCL?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
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 | SMCL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.50% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $49M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 321 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +22.67%Best | -35.53% |
| 1Y Return | +24.33%Best | -81.36% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.05% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.00% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.1%Best | 183.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -97.5% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $14,369Best | $1,333 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | GraniteShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 12, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.8 years).
QQQ vs SMCL 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SMCL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Graniteshares 2x Long SMCI Daily ETF (SMCL) is an ETF from GraniteShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% while SMCL returned -81.36%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.67% versus a loss of 35.53% for SMCL.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMCL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 183.3% compared with 19.1% 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 -22.8% for QQQ and -97.5% for SMCL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SMCL charges 1.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $150 annually, a gap of $132 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 0.00% for SMCL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SMCL 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 SMCL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SMCL charges 1.50%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $132 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SMCL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% vs -81.36% for SMCL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QQQ annualized +22.31% vs -67.35% for SMCL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SMCL?
SMCL has been the more volatile fund at 183.3% annualized versus 19.1% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs SMCL -97.5%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SMCL?
QQQ and SMCL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 SMCL?
QQQ yields 0.42% while SMCL yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMCL 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.