QQQ vs SOXQ
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SOXQ?
SOXQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SOXQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.5%.
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 | SOXQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.19% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $3.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 0.31% |
| Holdings | 321 | 66 |
| YTD Return | +22.67% | +78.82%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.33% | +98.99%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.05% | +58.30%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.00% | +33.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.5%Best | 35.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -46.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,924 | $42,899Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2%Best | 62.5% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jun 11, 2021 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 11, 2021 to Oct 2, 2026 (5.3 years).
QQQ vs SOXQ 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 5.3 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SOXQ Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% while SOXQ returned +98.99%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.67% versus a gain of 78.82% for SOXQ.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +29.05% per year against +58.30% for SOXQ; over five years the annualized figures are +17.00% and +33.81% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SOXQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 35.8% compared with 20.5% 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 -46.0% for SOXQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SOXQ charges 0.19%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $19 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 0.31% for SOXQ.
Holdings Overlap
31.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings SOXQ also owns. 81.2% of SOXQ's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
Most of SOXQ is already inside QQQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
18 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 31 in SOXQ, against full books of 321 and 66.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 9 positions for SOXQ that do not appear in our book for QQQ (8.0% of the fund), and 78 for QQQ that do not appear in SOXQ (66.1%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in SOXQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.45% | 13.60% | 5.15% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.85% | 8.80% | 3.95% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.74% | 8.87% | 6.13% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.71% | 4.38% | 0.67% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 2.28% | 3.93% | 1.65% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.60% | 4.44% | 2.84% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 0.91% | 5.04% | 4.13% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.64% | 4.10% | 2.46% |
| KLACKla Corp | 1.04% | 4.12% | 3.08% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 1.08% | 3.85% | 2.77% |
81.2% of SOXQ is already inside QQQ.
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 SOXQ?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SOXQ charges 0.19%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SOXQ?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% vs +98.99% for SOXQ, so SOXQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SOXQ?
SOXQ has been the more volatile fund at 35.8% annualized versus 20.5% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SOXQ -46.0%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SOXQ?
QQQ and SOXQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 SOXQ?
81.2% of SOXQ's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 81.2% of SOXQ's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 31 in SOXQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SOXQ?
QQQ yields 0.42% while SOXQ yields 0.31%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SOXQ better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. SOXQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 62.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.