QQQ vs VABS
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VABS?
Large Cap Growth against Short Term Bond.
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 | VABS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.39% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $112M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 4.88% |
| Holdings | 107 | 162 |
| YTD Return | +16.87%Best | +2.04% |
| 1Y Return | +22.98%Best | +3.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.98%Best | +5.94% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.39%Best | +3.26% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 2.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -7.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,586Best | $11,740 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Virtus Investment Partners |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Short Term Bond |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Feb 9, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 10, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5.6 years).
QQQ vs VABS 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VABS Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Virtus Newfleet ABS/MBS ETF (VABS) is an ETF from Virtus Investment Partners. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% while VABS returned +3.24%. Year to date, QQQ is up 16.87% versus a gain of 2.04% for VABS.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.98% per year against +5.94% for VABS; over five years the annualized figures are +14.39% and +3.26% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.35% annualized vs +3.09%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 2.1% for VABS. 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 -7.1% for VABS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VABS charges 0.39%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $39 annually, a gap of $21 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 4.88% for VABS.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and VABS 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 VABS?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VABS charges 0.39%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $21 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VABS?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% vs +3.24% for VABS, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), QQQ annualized +15.35% vs +3.09% for VABS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VABS?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 2.1% for VABS. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs VABS -7.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VABS?
QQQ and VABS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.36, 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 VABS?
QQQ yields 0.44% while VABS yields 4.88%, so VABS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VABS 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.