QQQ vs STXX
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Tradr 2X Long STX Daily ETF
Which is better, QQQ or STXX?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ 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 | STXX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.49% |
| AUM | $437.3B | $7M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 208 | 8 |
| YTD Return | +12.98%Best | -42.10% |
| 1Y Return | +11.59%Best | -42.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.05% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.74% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6%Best | 76.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -87.1% |
| $10,000 over 12 years | $70,038Best | $5,798 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Tradr ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 24, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 12 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 31, 2014 to Nov 11, 2026 (12 years).
QQQ vs STXX 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 12 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs STXX Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Tradr 2X Long STX Daily ETF (STXX) is an ETF from Tradr ETFs. Over the past year QQQ returned +11.59% while STXX returned -42.10%. Year to date, QQQ is up 12.98% versus a loss of 42.10% for STXX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STXX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 76.9% compared with 18.6% 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 -87.1% for STXX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while STXX charges 1.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $149 annually, a gap of $131 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.43% against 0.00% for STXX.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and STXX 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 STXX?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while STXX charges 1.49%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $131 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or STXX?
Over the past year QQQ returned +11.59% vs -42.10% for STXX, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (12 years), QQQ annualized +17.61% vs -4.44% for STXX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or STXX?
STXX has been the more volatile fund at 76.9% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs STXX -87.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and STXX?
QQQ and STXX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 STXX?
QQQ yields 0.43% while STXX yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STXX better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ 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.