QQQ vs VBF

QQQ vs VBF

Which is better, QQQ or VBF?

Large Cap Growth against Long Term Mid Quality.

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: QQQHigher Returns: QQQ

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

MetricQQQVBF
Expense Ratio0.18%Best0.54%
AUM$483.5B$4,400.74
Dividend Yield0.44%5.14%
Holdings1071,492
YTD Return+22.20%Best-3.19%
1Y Return+24.58%Best-4.41%
3Y Return (annualized)+28.38%Best+5.29%
5Y Return (annualized)+15.80%Best-2.75%
Volatility (annualized)30.6%10.2%Best
Max Drawdown-83.0%-37.7%Best
$10,000 over 5 years$20,823Best$8,699
Fund FamilyInvesco (US)Invesco (US)
CategoryEquityFixed Income
StyleLarge Cap GrowthLong Term Mid Quality
InceptionMar 10, 1999Oct 28, 1970

Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.

Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Sep 22, 2026 (27.5 years).

QQQ vs VBF 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 VBF Performance

Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco Bond Fund (VBF) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +24.58% while VBF returned -4.41%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.20% versus a loss of 3.19% for VBF.

Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.38% per year against +5.29% for VBF; over five years the annualized figures are +15.80% and -2.75% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.18% annualized vs -0.21%.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 10.2% for VBF. 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 -83.0% for QQQ and -37.7% for VBF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.14. They move largely independently of each other.

Fees and Cost Over Time

QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VBF charges 0.54%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $54 annually, a gap of $36 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 5.14% for VBF.

Holdings Overlap

We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1,017 in VBF, totalling 99.9% and 61.3% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.

The two holdings books were reported 158 days apart, QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026 and VBF as of Feb 28, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.

0 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 1,017 in VBF, against full books of 107 and 1,492.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of QQQ and VBF you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

QQQVBF

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, QQQ or VBF?

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VBF charges 0.54%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $36 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which performed better, QQQ or VBF?

Over the past year QQQ returned +24.58% vs -4.41% for VBF, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), QQQ annualized +13.18% vs -0.21% for VBF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.

Which is riskier, QQQ or VBF?

QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 10.2% for VBF. Worst drawdown: QQQ -83.0% vs VBF -37.7%.

Should I hold both QQQ and VBF?

QQQ and VBF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.14, 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 VBF?

QQQ yields 0.44% while VBF yields 5.14%, so VBF currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is VBF 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.