QQQ vs VLUE
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VLUE?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VLUE has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, VLUE over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VLUE is less concentrated, with 44.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%.
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 | VLUE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.15%Best |
| AUM | $498.6B | $9.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.39% |
| Holdings | 321 | 151 |
| YTD Return | +24.01% | +44.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.94% | +60.98%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.16% | +33.46%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.56% | +17.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -39.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $21,515 | $22,075Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.2% | 44.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | iShares by BlackRock (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 16, 2013 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 18, 2013 to Oct 7, 2026 (13.5 years).
QQQ vs VLUE 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 13.5 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VLUE Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +25.94% while VLUE returned +60.98%. Year to date, QQQ is up 24.01% versus a gain of 44.94% for VLUE.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.16% per year against +33.46% for VLUE; over five years the annualized figures are +16.56% and +17.16% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.01% annualized vs +12.14%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VLUE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 17.8% 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -39.5% for VLUE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VLUE charges 0.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $15 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 1.39% for VLUE.
Holdings Overlap
10.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings VLUE also owns. 34.6% of VLUE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
15 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 147 in VLUE, against full books of 321 and 151.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 129 positions for VLUE that do not appear in our book for QQQ (64.8% of the fund), and 81 for QQQ that do not appear in VLUE (87.0%).
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 VLUE | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.85% | 21.35% | 16.50% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.95% | 4.27% | 2.32% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 0.85% | 1.66% | 0.81% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 0.40% | 1.77% | 1.37% |
| PCARPaccar Inc. | 0.28% | 0.92% | 0.64% |
| CSXCsx Corp. | 0.40% | 0.71% | 0.31% |
| ADBEAdobe Systems | 0.45% | 0.62% | 0.17% |
| KHCKraft Heinz Co. | 0.13% | 0.73% | 0.60% |
| NXPINxp Semiconductors Nv Sedol B505Pn7 | 0.26% | 0.54% | 0.28% |
| MSTRMicrostrategy Inc | 0.19% | 0.49% | 0.30% |
34.6% of VLUE 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 VLUE?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VLUE charges 0.15%. VLUE is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VLUE?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.94% vs +60.98% for VLUE, so VLUE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), QQQ annualized +20.01% vs +12.14% for VLUE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VLUE?
VLUE has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 17.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs VLUE -39.5%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VLUE?
QQQ and VLUE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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 VLUE?
34.6% of VLUE's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 34.6% of VLUE's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 147 in VLUE.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VLUE?
QQQ yields 0.42% while VLUE yields 1.39%, so VLUE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VLUE better than QQQ?
VLUE has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, VLUE over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y. VLUE is less concentrated, with 44.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.