QQQ vs UMAY
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - May
Which is better, QQQ or UMAY?
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 | UMAY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.79% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $141M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 16 |
| YTD Return | +17.21%Best | +5.76% |
| 1Y Return | +22.10%Best | +8.08% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.27%Best | +11.22% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.60%Best | +6.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 6.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -12.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,766Best | $13,714 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Innovator ETFs Trust |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 30, 2020 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 1, 2020 to Sep 17, 2026 (6.4 years).
QQQ vs UMAY 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs UMAY Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra Buffer ETF - May (UMAY) is an ETF from Innovator ETFs Trust. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% while UMAY returned +8.08%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.21% versus a gain of 5.76% for UMAY.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.27% per year against +11.22% for UMAY; over five years the annualized figures are +14.60% and +6.52% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.59% annualized vs +6.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 6.2% for UMAY. 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 -12.1% for UMAY. 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 UMAY charges 0.79%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $79 annually, a gap of $61 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.00% for UMAY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1 in UMAY, totalling 99.9% and 101.7% 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 1 in UMAY, against full books of 107 and 16.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and UMAY 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 UMAY?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while UMAY charges 0.79%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $61 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or UMAY?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% vs +8.08% for UMAY, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), QQQ annualized +21.59% vs +6.77% for UMAY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or UMAY?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 6.2% for UMAY. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs UMAY -12.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and UMAY?
QQQ and UMAY 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 UMAY?
QQQ yields 0.44% while UMAY yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UMAY 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.