QQQ vs VCR
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VCR?
QQQ has been ahead.
VCR has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.0%.
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 | VCR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $483.5B | $6.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.73% |
| Holdings | 107 | 356 |
| YTD Return | +21.71%Best | -4.92% |
| 1Y Return | +25.89%Best | -4.73% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.80%Best | +12.60% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.67%Best | +3.69% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.3%Best | 19.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5%Best | -62.7% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,706Best | $11,986 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5%Best | 55.0% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 30, 2004 to Sep 25, 2026 (22.7 years).
QQQ vs VCR 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 22.7 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VCR Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% while VCR returned -4.73%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.71% versus a loss of 4.92% for VCR.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.80% per year against +12.60% for VCR; over five years the annualized figures are +15.67% and +3.69% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.32% annualized vs +9.62%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VCR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.6% compared with 18.3% 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 -53.5% for QQQ and -62.7% for VCR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VCR charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $9 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.73% for VCR.
Holdings Overlap
10.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings VCR also owns. 47.4% of VCR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 272 in VCR, against full books of 107 and 356.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 254 positions for VCR that do not appear in our book for QQQ (51.9% of the fund), and 86 for QQQ that do not appear in VCR (86.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in VCR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.67% | 22.92% | 18.25% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.56% | 13.02% | 10.46% |
| BKNGBooking Holdings, Inc. | 0.70% | 2.35% | 1.65% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 0.53% | 1.82% | 1.29% |
| MELIMercadolibre Inc | 0.43% | 1.32% | 0.89% |
| MARMarriott International, Inc. | 0.42% | 1.31% | 0.89% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 0.36% | 1.26% | 0.90% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 0.37% | 1.17% | 0.80% |
| ORLYO'Eilly Automotive, Inc. | 0.34% | 1.16% | 0.82% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 0.28% | 1.02% | 0.74% |
47.4% of VCR is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQ or VCR?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VCR charges 0.09%. VCR is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VCR?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.89% vs -4.73% for VCR, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), QQQ annualized +14.32% vs +9.62% for VCR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VCR?
VCR has been the more volatile fund at 19.6% annualized versus 18.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -53.5% vs VCR -62.7%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VCR?
QQQ and VCR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and VCR?
47.4% of VCR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 47.4% of VCR's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 272 in VCR.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VCR?
QQQ yields 0.44% while VCR yields 0.73%, so VCR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VCR better than QQQ?
VCR has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.