QQQ vs SPCL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SPCL?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, SPCL over 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 | SPCL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.31% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $14M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | -31.70% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | -31.70% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2%Best | 5867156.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | - |
| $10,000 over 12.6 years | $82,836 | $321,204Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Defiance ETFs, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 7, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 12.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 18, 2014 to Sep 18, 2026 (12.6 years).
QQQ vs SPCL 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 SPCL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Defiance Daily 2X Space ETF (SPCL) is an ETF from Defiance ETFs, LLC. Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while SPCL returned -31.70%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a loss of 31.70% for SPCL.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPCL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 5867156.9% 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 0.41. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SPCL 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 SPCL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1 in SPCL, totalling 99.9% and 9.0% 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 SPCL, against full books of 107 and 28.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SPCL 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 SPCL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SPCL charges 1.31%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $113 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SPCL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs -31.70% for SPCL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), QQQ annualized +18.27% vs +31.70% for SPCL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SPCL?
SPCL has been the more volatile fund at 5867156.9% annualized versus 18.2% for QQQ.
Should I hold both QQQ and SPCL?
QQQ and SPCL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.41, 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 SPCL?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SPCL yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPCL better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, SPCL over the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.