QQQ vs SWAN
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SWAN?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | SWAN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.49% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $157M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 3.20% |
| Holdings | 107 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +16.87%Best | +2.65% |
| 1Y Return | +22.98%Best | +4.52% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.98%Best | +12.19% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.39%Best | +1.65% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.5% | 11.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -31.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,586Best | $10,853 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Amplify ETFs |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 5, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2018 to Sep 11, 2026 (7.8 years).
QQQ vs SWAN 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 7.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SWAN Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Amplify BlackSwan Growth & Treasury Core ETF (SWAN) is an ETF from Amplify ETFs. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% while SWAN returned +4.52%. Year to date, QQQ is up 16.87% versus a gain of 2.65% for SWAN.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.98% per year against +12.19% for SWAN; over five years the annualized figures are +14.39% and +1.65% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.56% annualized vs +5.67%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 11.8% for SWAN. 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 -31.0% for SWAN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SWAN charges 0.49%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $49 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 3.20% for SWAN.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 9 in SWAN, totalling 99.9% and 69.2% 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 9 in SWAN, against full books of 107 and 28.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SWAN 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 SWAN?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SWAN charges 0.49%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SWAN?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% vs +4.52% for SWAN, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), QQQ annualized +20.56% vs +5.67% for SWAN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SWAN?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 11.8% for SWAN. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SWAN -31.0%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SWAN?
QQQ and SWAN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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 SWAN?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SWAN yields 3.20%, so SWAN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SWAN better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.