QQQ vs SMTH
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SMTH?
Large Cap Growth against High Yield Bond.
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 | SMTH |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.59% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $3.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 4.43% |
| Holdings | 107 | 959 |
| YTD Return | +16.87%Best | -1.14% |
| 1Y Return | +22.98%Best | -0.67% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.98% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.39% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 4.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8% | -4.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 2.8 years | $19,015Best | $11,245 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ALPS Advisors |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | High Yield Bond |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 5, 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: Dec 6, 2023 to Sep 11, 2026 (2.8 years).
QQQ vs SMTH 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 SMTH Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ALPS Smith Core Plus Bond ETF (SMTH) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% while SMTH returned -0.67%. Year to date, QQQ is up 16.87% versus a loss of 1.14% for SMTH.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 4.0% for SMTH. 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 -4.1% for SMTH. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SMTH charges 0.59%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $59 annually, a gap of $41 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 4.43% for SMTH.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 150 in SMTH, totalling 99.9% and 38.9% 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 150 in SMTH, against full books of 107 and 959.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SMTH 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 SMTH?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SMTH charges 0.59%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $41 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SMTH?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% vs -0.67% for SMTH, 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 SMTH?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 4.0% for SMTH. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs SMTH -4.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SMTH?
QQQ and SMTH have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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 SMTH?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SMTH yields 4.43%, so SMTH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SMTH 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.