QQQ vs XLEM
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs State Street S&P 500 Energy Market Sector SPDR ETF
Which is better, QQQ or XLEM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
XLEM has a lower expense ratio.
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 | XLEM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.12%Best |
| AUM | $437.3B | $467,214.15 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.43% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 208 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +7.37%Best | -8.82% |
| 1Y Return | +7.77% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.44% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.19% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.9% | - |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Oct 13, 2026 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
QQQ vs XLEM 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QQQ vs XLEM Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street S&P 500 Energy Market Sector SPDR ETF (XLEM) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, QQQ is up 7.37% versus a loss of 8.82% for XLEM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while XLEM charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $12 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.43% against 0.00% for XLEM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in QQQ and 7 in XLEM, totalling 99.7% and 100.0% 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 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 7 in XLEM, against full books of 208 and 7.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 101 and 7 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 94 positions XLEM does not, 97.2% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.05%, AAPL 7.68%, MSFT 6.16%, MU 4.47%, AMZN 4.23%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XLEM 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 XLEM?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XLEM charges 0.12%. XLEM is the cheaper option, by $6 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or XLEM?
QQQ yields 0.43% while XLEM yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLEM better than QQQ?
XLEM has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.