QQQ vs XLKI
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF
Which is better, QQQ or XLKI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. XLKI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97.
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 | XLKI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $22M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 18.71% |
| Holdings | 321 | 7 |
| YTD Return | +22.35%Best | +22.05% |
| 1Y Return | +22.84% | +25.29%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.55% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.36% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -12.0% | -11.2%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $13,266 | $13,493Best |
| 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 8, 2026 (1.2 years).
QQQ vs XLKI 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 XLKI Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income ETF (XLKI) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.84% while XLKI returned +25.29%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.35% versus a gain of 22.05% for XLKI.
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 16.2% for XLKI. 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 -11.2% for XLKI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.97. 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 XLKI 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 18.71% for XLKI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 2 in XLKI, totalling 99.9% and 100.4% 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 XLKI, against full books of 321 and 7.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XLKI 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 XLKI?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XLKI charges 0.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or XLKI?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.84% vs +25.29% for XLKI, so XLKI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), QQQ annualized +26.56% vs +28.36% for XLKI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or XLKI?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 16.2% for XLKI. Worst drawdown: QQQ -12.0% vs XLKI -11.2%.
Should I hold both QQQ and XLKI?
QQQ and XLKI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or XLKI?
QQQ yields 0.42% while XLKI yields 18.71%, so XLKI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XLKI better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. XLKI led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.