QQQ vs XHYE
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs BondBloxx USD High Yield Bond Energy Sector ETF
Which is better, QQQ or XHYE?
Large Cap Growth against Long Term High Quality.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | XHYE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 6.41% |
| Holdings | 321 | 211 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.9% | 7.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -29.6% | -8.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 4.2 years | $20,932Best | $12,976 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | BondBloxx |
| Category | Equity | Fixed Income |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Long Term High Quality |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Feb 15, 2022 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 145 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. QQQ has data through Oct 7, 2026 and XHYE through May 15, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 17, 2022 to May 15, 2026 (4.2 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.9% compared with 7.2% for XHYE. 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 -29.6% for QQQ and -8.9% for XHYE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while XHYE charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $35 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 6.41% for XHYE.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 179 in XHYE, totalling 99.9% and 83.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 228 days apart, QQQ as of Sep 15, 2026 and XHYE as of Jan 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 179 in XHYE, against full books of 321 and 211.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XHYE 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 XHYE?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XHYE charges 0.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, QQQ or XHYE?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.9% annualized versus 7.2% for XHYE. Worst drawdown: QQQ -29.6% vs XHYE -8.9%.
Should I hold both QQQ and XHYE?
QQQ and XHYE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or XHYE?
QQQ yields 0.42% while XHYE yields 6.41%, so XHYE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XHYE better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.