QQQ vs XLEI
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, QQQ or XLEI?
Opposite sides of the same exposure.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. XLEI led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.63, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees.
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 | XLEI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $133M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 19.16% |
| Holdings | 321 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +24.01% | +31.03%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.94% | +37.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.16% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.56% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 13.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.0% | -8.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $13,457 | $14,215Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jul 29, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 30, 2025 to Oct 7, 2026 (1.2 years).
QQQ vs XLEI 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 1.2 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs XLEI Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLEI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +25.94% while XLEI returned +37.08%. Year to date, QQQ is up 24.01% versus a gain of 31.03% for XLEI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 13.8% for XLEI. 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 -12.0% for QQQ and -8.2% for XLEI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.63. They move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, while paying both funds' fees.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while XLEI 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 19.16% for XLEI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 2 in XLEI, totalling 99.9% and 101.2% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 2 in XLEI, against full books of 321 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XLEI 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 XLEI?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XLEI charges 0.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or XLEI?
Over the past year QQQ returned +25.94% vs +37.08% for XLEI, so XLEI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QQQ annualized +28.07% vs +34.06% for XLEI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or XLEI?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 13.8% for XLEI. Worst drawdown: QQQ -12.0% vs XLEI -8.2%.
Should I hold both QQQ and XLEI?
QQQ and XLEI have a monthly-return correlation of -0.63, so they move opposite each other. Holding both offsets the exposure rather than spreading it, and pays both funds' fees on the way. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or XLEI?
QQQ yields 0.42% while XLEI yields 19.16%, so XLEI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLEI better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. XLEI led over 1Y and the full window. The two move opposite each other, correlation -0.63, so holding both offsets the exposure while paying both fees. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.