QQQ vs TECL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X ETF
Which is better, QQQ or TECL?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Leveraged Equity.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. TECL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95.
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 | TECL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.87% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $5.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 4.11% |
| Holdings | 107 | 87 |
| YTD Return | +15.86% | +68.13%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.63% | +92.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.15% | +60.52%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.16% | +26.81%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5%Best | 59.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -78.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,390 | $32,792Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Direxion Shares ETF Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Leveraged Equity |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 17, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 29, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.2 years).
QQQ vs TECL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QQQ vs TECL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Direxion Daily Technology Bull 3X ETF (TECL) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.63% while TECL returned +92.17%. Year to date, QQQ is up 15.86% versus a gain of 68.13% for TECL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.15% per year against +60.52% for TECL; over five years the annualized figures are +14.16% and +26.81% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, TECL has the edge at +44.03% annualized vs +18.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
TECL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 59.9% compared with 17.5% 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 -78.0% for TECL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while TECL charges 0.87%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $87 annually, a gap of $69 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 4.11% for TECL.
Holdings Overlap
At least 55.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings TECL also owns.
Stated as a floor: for TECL, our book for it covers 91.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
35 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 76 in TECL, against full books of 107 and 87.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in TECL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 8.44% | 9.43% | 0.99% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.27% | 8.34% | 1.07% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.76% | 6.72% | 0.96% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 2.55% | 1.88% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.16% | 3.64% | 0.48% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 3.45% | 2.96% | 0.49% |
| INTCIntel Corp. | 2.23% | 2.14% | 0.09% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.10% | 2.16% | 0.06% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.86% | 1.95% | 0.09% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp | 1.69% | 1.78% | 0.09% |
55.7% of QQQ is already inside TECL.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQ or TECL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while TECL charges 0.87%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $69 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or TECL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.63% vs +92.17% for TECL, so TECL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), QQQ annualized +18.70% vs +44.03% for TECL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or TECL?
TECL has been the more volatile fund at 59.9% annualized versus 17.5% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs TECL -78.0%.
Should I hold both QQQ and TECL?
QQQ and TECL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and TECL?
At least 55.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings TECL also owns. Our book for TECL is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 35 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 76 in TECL.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or TECL?
QQQ yields 0.44% while TECL yields 4.11%, so TECL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TECL better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. TECL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.