QQQ vs STK
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund
Which is better, QQQ or STK?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, STK over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. STK is less concentrated, with 41.5% 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 | STK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.13% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $831M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 3.36% |
| Holdings | 107 | 75 |
| YTD Return | +21.16% | +48.36%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.78% | +62.36%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.95% | +37.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.36% | +20.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 22.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -42.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,430 | $25,681Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 41.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Columbia Threadneedle Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 25, 2009 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2009 to Sep 24, 2026 (16.8 years).
QQQ vs STK 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 16.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs STK Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (STK) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Over the past year QQQ returned +24.78% while STK returned +62.36%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.16% versus a gain of 48.36% for STK.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +27.95% per year against +37.93% for STK; over five years the annualized figures are +15.36% and +20.76% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.47% annualized vs +9.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% 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 -42.8% for STK. 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 STK charges 1.13%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $113 annually, a gap of $95 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 3.36% for STK.
Holdings Overlap
47.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings STK also owns. 45.0% of STK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
21 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 62 in STK, against full books of 107 and 75.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 37 positions for STK that do not appear in our book for QQQ (47.0% of the fund), and 75 for QQQ that do not appear in STK (50.5%).
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 STK | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.44% | 4.79% | 3.65% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.27% | 3.03% | 4.24% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.76% | 3.17% | 2.59% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.16% | 5.36% | 2.20% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.36% | 3.90% | 0.54% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 1.69% | 5.05% | 3.36% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.67% | 0.64% | 4.03% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.13% | 1.95% | 1.18% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.86% | 2.27% | 0.41% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp Company Guar 11/28 3 | 0.79% | 3.01% | 2.22% |
47.1% of QQQ is already inside STK.
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 STK?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while STK charges 1.13%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $95 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or STK?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.78% vs +62.36% for STK, so STK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), QQQ annualized +18.47% vs +9.43% for STK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or STK?
STK has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 17.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs STK -42.8%.
Should I hold both QQQ and STK?
QQQ and STK 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 STK?
47.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings STK also owns. 45.0% of STK's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 62 in STK.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or STK?
QQQ yields 0.44% while STK yields 3.36%, so STK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STK better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, STK over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. STK is less concentrated, with 41.5% 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.