QQQ vs ZVOL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs Volatility Premium Plus ETF
Which is better, QQQ or ZVOL?
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 | ZVOL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 1.42% |
| AUM | $498.6B | $19M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 74.20% |
| Holdings | 321 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +22.35%Best | -17.27% |
| 1Y Return | +22.84%Best | -12.89% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.55%Best | -2.03% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +16.36% | - |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.0%Best | 54.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -22.8%Best | -64.5% |
| $10,000 over 3.5 years | $24,092Best | $12,287 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Volatility Shares, LLC |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 22, 2024 |
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: Apr 19, 2023 to Oct 8, 2026 (3.5 years).
QQQ vs ZVOL 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 ZVOL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Volatility Premium Plus ETF (ZVOL) is an ETF from Volatility Shares, LLC. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.84% while ZVOL returned -12.89%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.35% versus a loss of 17.27% for ZVOL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +27.55% per year against -2.03% for ZVOL. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +28.56% annualized vs +6.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZVOL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 54.0% compared with 17.0% 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 -64.5% for ZVOL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.08. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while ZVOL charges 1.42%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $142 annually, a gap of $124 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 74.20% for ZVOL.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and ZVOL 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 ZVOL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while ZVOL charges 1.42%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $124 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or ZVOL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.84% vs -12.89% for ZVOL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), QQQ annualized +28.56% vs +6.06% for ZVOL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or ZVOL?
ZVOL has been the more volatile fund at 54.0% annualized versus 17.0% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -22.8% vs ZVOL -64.5%.
Should I hold both QQQ and ZVOL?
QQQ and ZVOL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.08, 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 ZVOL?
QQQ yields 0.42% while ZVOL yields 74.20%, so ZVOL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZVOL 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.