QQQ vs VTHR
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF
Which is better, QQQ or VTHR?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTHR has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VTHR is less concentrated, with 32.0% 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 | VTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $483.5B | $6.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 1.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 2,990 |
| YTD Return | +15.94%Best | +12.06% |
| 1Y Return | +20.44%Best | +16.19% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.86%Best | +20.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.26%Best | +11.94% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.3% | 14.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -34.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,475Best | $17,576 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 32.0%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 14, 2026 (16 years).
QQQ vs VTHR 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 16 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs VTHR Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Russell 3000 ETF (VTHR) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +20.44% while VTHR returned +16.19%. Year to date, QQQ is up 15.94% versus a gain of 12.06% for VTHR.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.86% per year against +20.67% for VTHR; over five years the annualized figures are +14.26% and +11.94% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.49% annualized vs +12.98%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.3% compared with 14.5% for VTHR. 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 -34.6% for VTHR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.90. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VTHR 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 1.00% for VTHR.
Holdings Overlap
91.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings VTHR also owns. 44.9% of VTHR's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside VTHR. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
89 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 2,952 in VTHR, against full books of 107 and 2,990.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,066 positions for VTHR that do not appear in our book for QQQ (50.2% of the fund), and 7 for QQQ that do not appear in VTHR (6.5%).
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 VTHR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 8.44% | 6.48% | 1.96% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.27% | 6.18% | 1.09% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 5.76% | 4.78% | 0.98% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.67% | 3.64% | 1.03% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 3.13% | 2.88% | 0.25% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 4.43% | 1.28% | 3.15% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 3.16% | 2.50% | 0.66% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.45% | 1.07% | 2.38% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.78% | 1.69% | 1.09% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.56% | 1.26% | 1.30% |
91.0% of QQQ is already inside VTHR.
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 VTHR?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VTHR charges 0.06%. VTHR is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or VTHR?
Over the past year QQQ returned +20.44% vs +16.19% for VTHR, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), QQQ annualized +18.49% vs +12.98% for VTHR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or VTHR?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.3% annualized versus 14.5% for VTHR. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs VTHR -34.6%.
Should I hold both QQQ and VTHR?
QQQ and VTHR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.90, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and VTHR?
91.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings VTHR also owns. 44.9% of VTHR's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 89 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 2,952 in VTHR.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or VTHR?
QQQ yields 0.44% while VTHR yields 1.00%, so VTHR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTHR better than QQQ?
VTHR has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.90. VTHR is less concentrated, with 32.0% 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.