QQQ vs VBIL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VBIL?
Large Cap Growth against Ultrashort Term Bond.
VBIL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | VBIL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $483.5B | $11.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 3.58% |
| Holdings | 107 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | +2.58% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | +3.78% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 0.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8% | -0.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $13,769Best | $10,771 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Ultrashort Term Bond |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Feb 7, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
QQQ vs VBIL 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VBIL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while VBIL returned +3.78%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a gain of 2.58% for VBIL.
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 0.5% for VBIL. 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 -22.8% for QQQ and -0.1% for VBIL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.22. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VBIL charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $6 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 3.58% for VBIL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1 in VBIL, totalling 99.9% and 0.0% 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 1 in VBIL, against full books of 107 and 28.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and VBIL 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 VBIL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VBIL charges 0.06%. VBIL is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VBIL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +3.78% for VBIL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QQQ annualized +22.13% vs +4.75% for VBIL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VBIL?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 0.5% for VBIL. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs VBIL -0.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VBIL?
QQQ and VBIL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.22, 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 VBIL?
QQQ yields 0.44% while VBIL yields 3.58%, so VBIL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VBIL better than QQQ?
VBIL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.