QQQ vs STXM
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Strive Mid Cap ETF
Which is better, QQQ or STXM?
Large Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. STXM is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | STXM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Tie | 0.18%Tie |
| AUM | $498.6B | $16M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 321 | 407 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -23.8% |
| $10,000 over 2 years | $13,044Best | $11,764 |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 6.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Strive Asset Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 11, 2024 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 189 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. QQQ has data through Oct 2, 2026 and STXM through Mar 27, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 10, 2024 to Mar 27, 2026 (2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.7% compared with 14.6% for STXM. 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 -23.8% for STXM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.55. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while STXM charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $18 annually. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 1.04% for STXM.
Holdings Overlap
1.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings STXM also owns. 1.1% of STXM's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
QQQ and STXM share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 228 days apart, QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026 and STXM as of Jan 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
2 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 395 in STXM, against full books of 321 and 407.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 377 positions for STXM that do not appear in our book for QQQ (91.7% of the fund), and 94 for QQQ that do not appear in STXM (96.4%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and STXM 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 STXM?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while STXM charges 0.18%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which is riskier, QQQ or STXM?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 14.7% annualized versus 14.6% for STXM. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs STXM -23.8%.
Should I hold both QQQ and STXM?
QQQ and STXM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.55, 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 STXM?
1.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings STXM also owns. 1.1% of STXM's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 395 in STXM.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or STXM?
QQQ yields 0.42% while STXM yields 1.04%, so STXM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STXM better than QQQ?
QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. STXM is less concentrated, with 6.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.