QQQ vs TEND
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Dec ETF
Which is better, QQQ or TEND?
Large Cap Growth against Option Writing.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y.
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 | TEND |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.50% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $72M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 0.09% |
| Holdings | 321 | 8 |
| YTD Return | +22.67%Best | +10.67% |
| 1Y Return | +24.33%Best | +12.35% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +29.05% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.00% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.7% | 8.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Oct 7, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
QQQ vs TEND 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 TEND Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and iShares Large Cap 10% Target Buffer Dec ETF (TEND) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% while TEND returned +12.35%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.67% versus a gain of 10.67% for TEND.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.7% compared with 8.3% for TEND. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while TEND charges 0.50%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $50 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 0.09% for TEND.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 2 in TEND, totalling 99.9% and 101.0% 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 2 in TEND, against full books of 321 and 8.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and TEND 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 TEND?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while TEND charges 0.50%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or TEND?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.33% vs +12.35% for TEND, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or TEND?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.7% annualized versus 8.3% for TEND.
Should I hold both QQQ and TEND?
QQQ and TEND have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, 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 TEND?
QQQ yields 0.42% while TEND yields 0.09%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is TEND better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.