QQQE vs VTI
Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, QQQE or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QQQE led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. QQQE is less concentrated, with 12.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
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 | QQQE | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.56% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 205 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +20.02%Best | +14.14% |
| 1Y Return | +19.34%Best | +16.22% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.55% | +22.93%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.75% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1% | 14.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -32.1%Best | -35.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,923 | $18,230Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 12.6%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | Direxion Shares ETF Trust | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 21, 2012 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 21, 2012 to Oct 5, 2026 (14.5 years).
QQQE vs VTI 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 14.5 years both funds cover.
QQQE vs VTI Performance
Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index ETF (QQQE) is an ETF from Direxion Shares ETF Trust and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year QQQE returned +19.34% while VTI returned +16.22%. Year to date, QQQE is up 20.02% versus a gain of 14.14% for VTI.
Over three years, QQQE compounded at +18.55% per year against +22.93% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +9.75% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, QQQE has the edge at +13.84% annualized vs +12.70%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 14.4% for VTI. 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 -32.1% for QQQE and -35.0% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.94. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQE charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQE currently yields 0.56% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
89.0% of QQQE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.5% of VTI's money is in holdings QQQE also owns.
Most of QQQE is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 46 days apart, QQQE as of Sep 15, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
90 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQE and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 205 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,060 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for QQQE (49.9% of the fund), and 7 for QQQE that do not appear in VTI (5.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQE | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 1.07% | 6.40% | 5.33% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.10% | 6.29% | 5.19% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 1.13% | 4.79% | 3.66% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.98% | 3.65% | 2.67% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.84% | 2.56% | 1.72% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.46% | 2.90% | 2.44% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 0.46% | 2.31% | 1.85% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 1.06% | 1.70% | 0.64% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.04% | 1.29% | 0.25% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.03% | 1.08% | 0.05% |
89.0% of QQQE is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQE or VTI?
QQQE has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQE or VTI?
Over the past year QQQE returned +19.34% vs +16.22% for VTI, so QQQE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), QQQE annualized +13.84% vs +12.70% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQE or VTI?
QQQE has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 14.4% for VTI. Worst drawdown: QQQE -32.1% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both QQQE and VTI?
QQQE and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.94, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQE and VTI?
89.0% of QQQE's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 47.5% of VTI's is in holdings QQQE also owns. They hold 90 positions in common, counted across the 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQE and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQE or VTI?
QQQE yields 0.56% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than QQQE?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. QQQE led over 1Y and the full window, VTI over 3Y and 5Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.94. QQQE is less concentrated, with 12.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.