QQQ vs STOX
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Horizon Core Equity ETF
Which is better, QQQ or STOX?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. STOX led over 1Y and 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 | STOX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.70% |
| AUM | $437.3B | $234M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 0.17% |
| Holdings | 208 | 350 |
| YTD Return | +7.37% | +8.88%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.77% | +11.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.19% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.6% | 11.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -14.8% | -9.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.4 years | $12,143 | $12,302Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Horizon Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jun 25, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2025 to Nov 6, 2026 (1.4 years).
QQQ vs STOX 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 1.4 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs STOX Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Horizon Core Equity ETF (STOX) is an ETF from Horizon Funds. Over the past year QQQ returned +7.77% while STOX returned +11.69%. Year to date, QQQ is up 7.37% versus a gain of 8.88% for STOX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 11.6% for STOX. 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 -14.8% for QQQ and -9.3% for STOX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while STOX charges 0.70%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $70 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.43% against 0.17% for STOX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and STOX 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 STOX?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while STOX charges 0.70%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or STOX?
Over the past year QQQ returned +7.77% vs +11.69% for STOX, so STOX leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QQQ annualized +14.88% vs +15.95% for STOX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or STOX?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 11.6% for STOX. Worst drawdown: QQQ -14.8% vs STOX -9.3%.
Should I hold both QQQ and STOX?
QQQ and STOX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 STOX?
QQQ yields 0.43% while STOX yields 0.17%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STOX better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. STOX led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.