QQQ vs STXK
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Strive Small-Cap ETF
Which is better, QQQ or STXK?
Large Cap Growth against Small Cap Blend.
QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. STXK is less concentrated, with 4.0% 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 | STXK |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Tie | 0.18%Tie |
| AUM | $483.5B | $85M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.15% |
| Holdings | 107 | 603 |
| YTD Return | +15.94%Best | +11.62% |
| 1Y Return | +20.44%Best | +14.25% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.86%Best | +14.44% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.26% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3%Best | 18.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -27.1% |
| $10,000 over 3.8 years | $25,316Best | $15,529 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 4.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Strive Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Small Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 10, 2022 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 17, 2022 to Sep 14, 2026 (3.8 years).
QQQ vs STXK 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 3.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs STXK Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) is an ETF from Strive Asset Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +20.44% while STXK returned +14.25%. Year to date, QQQ is up 15.94% versus a gain of 11.62% for STXK.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.86% per year against +14.44% for STXK. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +27.69% annualized vs +12.28%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STXK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.5% 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 -22.8% for QQQ and -27.1% for STXK. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.60. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while STXK charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $18 annually. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 1.15% for STXK.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 595 in STXK, totalling 99.9% and 99.6% 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 595 in STXK, against full books of 107 and 603.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 574 positions for STXK that do not appear in our book for QQQ (96.8% of the fund), and 96 for QQQ that do not appear in STXK (97.5%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and STXK 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 STXK?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while STXK charges 0.18%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, QQQ or STXK?
Over the past year QQQ returned +20.44% vs +14.25% for STXK, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), QQQ annualized +27.69% vs +12.28% for STXK. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or STXK?
STXK has been the more volatile fund at 18.5% annualized versus 18.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs STXK -27.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and STXK?
QQQ and STXK have a monthly-return correlation of 0.60, 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 STXK?
QQQ yields 0.44% while STXK yields 1.15%, so STXK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STXK better than QQQ?
QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. STXK is less concentrated, with 4.0% 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.