QQQ vs YMAX
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF
Which is better, QQQ or YMAX?
Large Cap Growth against Option Writing.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.7%.
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 | YMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.33% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $378M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 70.90% |
| Holdings | 107 | 28 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | +6.50% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | -1.06% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.2%Best | 20.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -26.1% |
| $10,000 over 2.7 years | $18,074Best | $14,434 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.5%Best | 47.7% |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | YieldMax ETF |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Option Writing |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jan 16, 2024 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.7 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 17, 2024 to Sep 18, 2026 (2.7 years).
QQQ vs YMAX 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 2.7 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs YMAX Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and YieldMax Universe Fund of Option Income ETF (YMAX) is an ETF from YieldMax ETF. Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while YMAX returned -1.06%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a gain of 6.50% for YMAX.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
YMAX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 17.2% 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 -22.8% for QQQ and -26.1% for YMAX. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while YMAX charges 1.33%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $133 annually, a gap of $115 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 70.90% for YMAX.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 29 in YMAX, totalling 99.9% and 99.8% 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 29 in YMAX, against full books of 107 and 28.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 102 and 29 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions YMAX does not, 97.5% 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 YMAX 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 YMAX?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while YMAX charges 1.33%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $115 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or YMAX?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs -1.06% for YMAX, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or YMAX?
YMAX has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 17.2% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs YMAX -26.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and YMAX?
QQQ and YMAX have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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 YMAX?
QQQ yields 0.44% while YMAX yields 70.90%, so YMAX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YMAX better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 47.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.