QQQ vs SMST
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SMST?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Inverse 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 | SMST |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.31% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $17M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 16 |
| YTD Return | +21.71%Best | -85.42% |
| 1Y Return | +25.89%Best | -63.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.80% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.67% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2%Best | 183.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8% | - |
| $10,000 over 2.1 years | $15,609Best | $68 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Aug 20, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 21, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026 (2.1 years).
QQQ vs SMST 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 2.1 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SMST Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Defiance Daily Target 2X Short MSTR ETF (SMST) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% while SMST returned -63.09%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.71% versus a loss of 85.42% for SMST.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SMST has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 183.8% compared with 18.2% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.21. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SMST charges 1.31%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $131 annually, a gap of $113 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.00% for SMST.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1 in SMST, totalling 99.9% and 3.0% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 1 in SMST, against full books of 107 and 16.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SMST 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 SMST?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SMST charges 1.31%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $113 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SMST?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% vs -63.09% for SMST, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QQQ annualized +23.62% vs -90.73% for SMST. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SMST?
SMST has been the more volatile fund at 183.8% annualized versus 18.2% for QQQ.
Should I hold both QQQ and SMST?
QQQ and SMST have a monthly-return correlation of -0.21, 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 SMST?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SMST yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMST 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.