QQQ vs SOXL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SOXL?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SOXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | SOXL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.75% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $18.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.01% |
| Holdings | 107 | 44 |
| YTD Return | +21.71% | +220.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.89% | +347.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.80% | +106.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.67% | +26.56%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 87.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -90.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,706 | $32,470Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Mar 11, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 11, 2010 to Sep 25, 2026 (16.5 years).
QQQ vs SOXL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QQQ vs SOXL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% while SOXL returned +347.42%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.71% versus a gain of 220.60% for SOXL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.80% per year against +106.97% for SOXL; over five years the annualized figures are +15.67% and +26.56% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, SOXL has the edge at +39.08% annualized vs +18.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SOXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 87.8% compared with 17.6% 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -90.5% for SOXL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SOXL charges 0.75%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $75 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.01% for SOXL.
Holdings Overlap
At least 31.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings SOXL also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for SOXL, our book for it lists positions totalling 106.0% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
18 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 33 in SOXL, against full books of 107 and 44.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in SOXL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.44% | 6.44% | 2.00% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 6.01% | 1.58% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.45% | 5.57% | 2.12% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.16% | 5.17% | 2.01% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.23% | 3.51% | 1.28% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.86% | 3.07% | 1.21% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.69% | 2.85% | 1.16% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 0.81% | 3.21% | 2.40% |
| KLACKla Corp | 1.11% | 2.78% | 1.67% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.12% | 2.59% | 1.47% |
31.6% of QQQ is already inside SOXL.
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 SOXL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SOXL charges 0.75%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SOXL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% vs +347.42% for SOXL, so SOXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), QQQ annualized +18.35% vs +39.08% for SOXL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SOXL?
SOXL has been the more volatile fund at 87.8% annualized versus 17.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SOXL -90.5%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SOXL?
QQQ and SOXL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and SOXL?
At least 31.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings SOXL also owns. Our book for SOXL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 33 in SOXL.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SOXL?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SOXL yields 0.01%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SOXL better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SOXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.