QQQ vs XMAR
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March
Which is better, QQQ or XMAR?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | XMAR |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.85% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $154M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 12 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | +8.82% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | +11.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63%Best | +10.95% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0% | 3.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8% | -7.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $24,033Best | $14,591 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Mar 17, 2023 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.5 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 20, 2023 to Sep 18, 2026 (3.5 years).
QQQ vs XMAR 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 3.5 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs XMAR Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and FT Vest US Equity Enhance & Moderate Buffer ETF - March (XMAR) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while XMAR returned +11.10%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a gain of 8.82% for XMAR.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.63% per year against +10.95% for XMAR. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +28.47% annualized vs +11.40%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.0% compared with 3.3% for XMAR. 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 -22.8% for QQQ and -7.3% for XMAR. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while XMAR charges 0.85%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $85 annually, a gap of $67 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 0.00% for XMAR.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XMAR 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 XMAR?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XMAR charges 0.85%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $67 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or XMAR?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +11.10% for XMAR, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), QQQ annualized +28.47% vs +11.40% for XMAR. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or XMAR?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.0% annualized versus 3.3% for XMAR. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs XMAR -7.3%.
Should I hold both QQQ and XMAR?
QQQ and XMAR have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 XMAR?
QQQ yields 0.44% while XMAR yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XMAR better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.