QQQ vs URTY
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ProShares UltraPro Russell2000
Which is better, QQQ or URTY?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 5Y and the full window, URTY over 1Y and 3Y.
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 | URTY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $308M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.79% |
| Holdings | 107 | 1,996 |
| YTD Return | +15.94% | +36.52%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.44% | +46.56%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.86% | +26.56%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.26%Best | -5.20% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.6%Best | 59.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -88.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,475Best | $7,657 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Feb 9, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2010 to Sep 14, 2026 (16.6 years).
QQQ vs URTY 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 16.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs URTY Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +20.44% while URTY returned +46.56%. Year to date, QQQ is up 15.94% versus a gain of 36.52% for URTY.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.86% per year against +26.56% for URTY; over five years the annualized figures are +14.26% and -5.20% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.53% annualized vs +12.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
URTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 59.3% compared with 17.6% 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 -88.2% for URTY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.75. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while URTY charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $95 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.79% for URTY.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1,923 in URTY, totalling 99.9% and 53.2% 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 1,923 in URTY, against full books of 107 and 1,996.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and URTY 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 URTY?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while URTY charges 0.95%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or URTY?
Over the past year QQQ returned +20.44% vs +46.56% for URTY, so URTY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), QQQ annualized +18.53% vs +12.80% for URTY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or URTY?
URTY has been the more volatile fund at 59.3% annualized versus 17.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs URTY -88.2%.
Should I hold both QQQ and URTY?
QQQ and URTY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.75, 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 URTY?
QQQ yields 0.44% while URTY yields 0.79%, so URTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is URTY better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 5Y and the full window, URTY over 1Y and 3Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.