QQQ vs STNC
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Hennessy Sustainable ETF
Which is better, QQQ or STNC?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. STNC is less concentrated, with 34.4% 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 | STNC |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $486.1B | $91M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.91% |
| Holdings | 107 | 50 |
| YTD Return | +17.54%Best | +9.77% |
| 1Y Return | +25.59%Best | +12.39% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.63%Best | +12.16% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.18%Best | +6.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.4% | 15.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -22.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,407Best | $13,714 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 34.4%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Hennessy Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Mar 15, 2021 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 16, 2021 to Sep 4, 2026 (5.5 years).
QQQ vs STNC 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 5.5 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs STNC Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Hennessy Sustainable ETF (STNC) is an ETF from Hennessy Funds. Over the past year QQQ returned +25.59% while STNC returned +12.39%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.54% versus a gain of 9.77% for STNC.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.63% per year against +12.16% for STNC; over five years the annualized figures are +14.18% and +6.52% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +16.60% annualized vs +7.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.4% compared with 15.1% for STNC. 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 -22.3% for STNC. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while STNC charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $85 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.91% for STNC.
Holdings Overlap
19.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings STNC also owns. 21.6% of STNC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
STNC and QQQ share little of their money.
12 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 47 in STNC, against full books of 107 and 50.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 32 positions for STNC that do not appear in our book for QQQ (74.0% of the fund), and 82 for QQQ that do not appear in STNC (77.2%).
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 STNC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 2.08% | 2.35% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc | 3.45% | 2.14% | 1.31% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.84% | 3.26% | 1.42% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.86% | 2.69% | 0.83% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp 2.45 6/26 | 0.53% | 3.33% | 2.80% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.41% | 0.85% | 1.56% |
| STXSeagate Technology Holdings Plc | 0.83% | 2.33% | 1.50% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 2.23% | 0.31% | 1.92% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 0.19% | 2.00% | 1.81% |
| EXCExelon Corp. | 0.21% | 1.57% | 1.36% |
21.6% of STNC 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 STNC?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while STNC charges 0.85%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or STNC?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.59% vs +12.39% for STNC, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), QQQ annualized +16.60% vs +7.95% for STNC. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or STNC?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.4% annualized versus 15.1% for STNC. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs STNC -22.3%.
Should I hold both QQQ and STNC?
QQQ and STNC have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 STNC?
21.6% of STNC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 21.6% of STNC's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 47 in STNC.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or STNC?
QQQ yields 0.44% while STNC yields 0.91%, so STNC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STNC better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. STNC is less concentrated, with 34.4% 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.