QQQ vs VSGX
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VSGX?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VSGX has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | VSGX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.10%Best |
| AUM | $483.5B | $6.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 2.89% |
| Holdings | 107 | 6,629 |
| YTD Return | +15.86%Best | +12.94% |
| 1Y Return | +22.63%Best | +20.24% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.15%Best | +18.80% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.16%Best | +7.43% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -33.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,390Best | $14,310 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Sep 18, 2018 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 20, 2018 to Sep 10, 2026 (8 years).
QQQ vs VSGX 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 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VSGX Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard ESG International Stock ETF (VSGX) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +22.63% while VSGX returned +20.24%. Year to date, QQQ is up 15.86% versus a gain of 12.94% for VSGX.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.15% per year against +18.80% for VSGX; over five years the annualized figures are +14.16% and +7.43% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.85% annualized vs +8.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 16.2% for VSGX. 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 -33.1% for VSGX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.77. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VSGX charges 0.10%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $10 annually, a gap of $8 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 2.89% for VSGX.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings VSGX also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VSGX, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and VSGX share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 6,204 in VSGX, against full books of 107 and 6,629.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and VSGX 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 VSGX?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VSGX charges 0.10%. VSGX is the cheaper option, by $8 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VSGX?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.63% vs +20.24% for VSGX, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), QQQ annualized +18.85% vs +8.48% for VSGX. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VSGX?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 16.2% for VSGX. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs VSGX -33.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VSGX?
QQQ and VSGX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.77, 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 VSGX?
At least 2.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings VSGX also owns. Our book for VSGX is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 6,204 in VSGX.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VSGX?
QQQ yields 0.44% while VSGX yields 2.89%, so VSGX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VSGX better than QQQ?
VSGX 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.