QQQ vs YSPY
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF
Which is better, QQQ or YSPY?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | YSPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.15% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $9M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 46.30% |
| Holdings | 107 | 5 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | +6.95% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | +10.00% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.3% | 17.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -19.0% | -15.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $14,258Best | $13,380 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | GraniteShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Feb 26, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 26, 2025 to Sep 18, 2026 (1.6 years).
QQQ vs YSPY 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs YSPY Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and GraniteShares YieldBOOST SPY ETF (YSPY) is an ETF from GraniteShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while YSPY returned +10.00%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a gain of 6.95% for YSPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.3% compared with 17.9% for YSPY. 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 -19.0% for QQQ and -15.1% for YSPY. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while YSPY charges 1.15%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $115 annually, a gap of $97 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.44% against 46.30% for YSPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and YSPY 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 YSPY?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while YSPY charges 1.15%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $97 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or YSPY?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +10.00% for YSPY, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QQQ annualized +24.82% vs +19.96% for YSPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or YSPY?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.3% annualized versus 17.9% for YSPY. Worst drawdown: QQQ -19.0% vs YSPY -15.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and YSPY?
QQQ and YSPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 YSPY?
QQQ yields 0.44% while YSPY yields 46.30%, so YSPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YSPY better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.