QQQ vs SPUU
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SPUU?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, SPUU over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. SPUU is less concentrated, with 41.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | SPUU |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.60% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $284M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.28% |
| Holdings | 107 | 510 |
| YTD Return | +16.87% | +20.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.98% | +29.02%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.98% | +35.53%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.39% | +17.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3%Best | 30.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -59.4% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,586 | $22,713Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 41.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | May 28, 2014 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 28, 2014 to Sep 11, 2026 (12.3 years).
QQQ vs SPUU 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 12.3 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SPUU Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Direxion Daily S&P 500 Bull 2X ETF (SPUU) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% while SPUU returned +29.02%. Year to date, QQQ is up 16.87% versus a gain of 20.71% for SPUU.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.98% per year against +35.53% for SPUU; over five years the annualized figures are +14.39% and +17.83% respectively. Across the full 12-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.60% annualized vs +18.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPUU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.3% compared with 18.3% 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 -59.4% for SPUU. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SPUU charges 0.60%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $60 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 1.28% for SPUU.
Holdings Overlap
94.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings SPUU also owns. 48.6% of SPUU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside SPUU. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
87 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 507 in SPUU, against full books of 107 and 510.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 412 positions for SPUU that do not appear in our book for QQQ (49.2% of the fund), and 8 for QQQ that do not appear in SPUU (2.4%).
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 SPUU | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 8.44% | 6.89% | 1.55% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.27% | 6.10% | 1.17% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.76% | 4.91% | 0.85% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.67% | 3.64% | 1.03% |
| GOOGLAlphabet A Usd 0.001 | 3.36% | 2.97% | 0.39% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.16% | 2.66% | 0.50% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 1.35% | 3.08% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.13% | 2.38% | 0.75% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 3.45% | 1.13% | 2.32% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 2.78% | 1.73% | 1.05% |
94.6% of QQQ is already inside SPUU.
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 SPUU?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SPUU charges 0.60%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SPUU?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% vs +29.02% for SPUU, so SPUU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), QQQ annualized +18.60% vs +18.45% for SPUU. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SPUU?
SPUU has been the more volatile fund at 30.3% annualized versus 18.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SPUU -59.4%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SPUU?
QQQ and SPUU have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and SPUU?
94.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings SPUU also owns. 48.6% of SPUU's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 87 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 507 in SPUU.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SPUU?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SPUU yields 1.28%, so SPUU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPUU better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, SPUU over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.91. SPUU is less concentrated, with 41.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.