QQQ vs VFMF
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard US Multifactor ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VFMF?
Large Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
QQQ led over 3Y and the full window, VFMF over 1Y and 5Y. VFMF is less concentrated, with 9.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | VFMF |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Tie | 0.18%Tie |
| AUM | $483.5B | $972M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.32% |
| Holdings | 107 | 655 |
| YTD Return | +17.21% | +21.41%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.10% | +28.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.27%Best | +22.12% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.60% | +14.63%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -41.3% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,766 | $19,792Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 9.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Feb 13, 2018 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 15, 2018 to Sep 17, 2026 (8.6 years).
QQQ vs VFMF 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VFMF Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard US Multifactor ETF (VFMF) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% while VFMF returned +28.44%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.21% versus a gain of 21.41% for VFMF.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.27% per year against +22.12% for VFMF; over five years the annualized figures are +14.60% and +14.63% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.05% annualized vs +12.44%.
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 18.5% for VFMF. 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 -41.3% for VFMF. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VFMF charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $18 annually. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 1.32% for VFMF.
Holdings Overlap
40.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 10.3% of VFMF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
28 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 652 in VFMF, against full books of 107 and 655.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 598 positions for VFMF that do not appear in our book for QQQ (86.4% of the fund), and 68 for QQQ that do not appear in VFMF (56.8%).
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 VFMF | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.27% | 0.35% | 6.92% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 1.02% | 3.41% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.67% | 0.13% | 4.54% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 3.36% | 0.45% | 2.91% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.13% | 0.16% | 2.97% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.41% | 0.38% | 2.03% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 2.10% | 0.47% | 1.63% |
| LRCXLam Research Corp 3.125 06/15/2060 | 1.69% | 0.44% | 1.25% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 1.86% | 0.13% | 1.73% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 0.97% | 0.80% | 0.17% |
40.7% of QQQ is already inside VFMF.
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 VFMF?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VFMF charges 0.18%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, QQQ or VFMF?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.10% vs +28.44% for VFMF, so VFMF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), QQQ annualized +19.05% vs +12.44% for VFMF. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VFMF?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 18.5% for VFMF. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs VFMF -41.3%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VFMF?
QQQ and VFMF have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 VFMF?
40.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings VFMF also owns. 10.3% of VFMF's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 28 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 652 in VFMF.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VFMF?
QQQ yields 0.44% while VFMF yields 1.32%, so VFMF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VFMF better than QQQ?
QQQ led over 3Y and the full window, VFMF over 1Y and 5Y. VFMF is less concentrated, with 9.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.