QQQ vs XTN
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs State Street SPDR S&P Transportation ETF
Which is better, QQQ or XTN?
Large Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. XTN is less concentrated, with 30.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | XTN |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $348M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.70% |
| Holdings | 107 | 44 |
| YTD Return | +21.22%Best | +9.31% |
| 1Y Return | +23.58%Best | +19.56% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.18%Best | +11.41% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.82%Best | +4.32% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4%Best | 23.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -44.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,841Best | $12,355 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5% | 30.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 27, 2011 to Sep 21, 2026 (15.6 years).
QQQ vs XTN 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 15.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs XTN Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Transportation ETF (XTN) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +23.58% while XTN returned +19.56%. Year to date, QQQ is up 21.22% versus a gain of 9.31% for XTN.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.18% per year against +11.41% for XTN; over five years the annualized figures are +15.82% and +4.32% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.03% annualized vs +9.46%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XTN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 17.4% for QQQ. 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -44.9% for XTN. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while XTN 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 0.44% against 0.70% for XTN.
Holdings Overlap
0.6% of QQQ's money is in holdings XTN also owns. 5.2% of XTN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
XTN and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 44 in XTN, against full books of 107 and 44.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 102 and 44 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 94 positions XTN does not, 96.9% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.44%, AAPL 7.27%, MSFT 5.76%, AMZN 4.67%, MU 4.43%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XTN 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 XTN?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XTN charges 0.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or XTN?
Over the past year QQQ returned +23.58% vs +19.56% for XTN, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), QQQ annualized +18.03% vs +9.46% for XTN. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or XTN?
XTN has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 17.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs XTN -44.9%.
Should I hold both QQQ and XTN?
QQQ and XTN have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and XTN?
5.2% of XTN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 5.2% of XTN's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 44 in XTN.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or XTN?
QQQ yields 0.44% while XTN yields 0.70%, so XTN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XTN better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. XTN is less concentrated, with 30.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.