AAEQ vs QQQ
Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AAEQ or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
AAEQ has a lower expense ratio. AAEQ is less concentrated, with 38.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%.
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 | AAEQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $518M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.09% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 294 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +11.95% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +22.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.42% |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.3%Best | 46.7% |
| Fund Family | Alpha Architect | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 9, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
AAEQ vs QQQ 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
AAEQ vs QQQ Performance
Alpha Architect US Equity 2 ETF (AAEQ) is an ETF from Alpha Architect and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Year to date, AAEQ is up 11.95% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AAEQ charges 0.09% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $18 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AAEQ currently yields 0.09% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
53.1% of AAEQ's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 85.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings AAEQ also owns.
Most of QQQ is already inside AAEQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
67 positions in common, counted across the 293 positions we hold weights for in AAEQ and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 294 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 293 and 101 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 25 positions AAEQ does not, 11.0% of the fund.
Largest: SPCX 2.70%, CTO 1.69%, SNDK 1.06%, AMGN 0.95%, ARM 0.53%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in AAEQ | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 8.19% | 8.33% | 0.14% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.24% | 7.35% | 0.11% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.55% | 5.76% | 0.21% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.70% | 4.07% | 0.37% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 1.70% | 5.02% | 3.32% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc-cl A | 3.04% | 3.05% | 0.01% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. | 1.32% | 4.17% | 2.85% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 2.15% | 3.26% | 1.11% |
| GOOGAlphabet, Inc.- Cl C | 2.45% | 2.85% | 0.40% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.76% | 2.53% | 0.23% |
85.2% of QQQ is already inside AAEQ.
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, AAEQ or QQQ?
AAEQ has an expense ratio of 0.09% while QQQ charges 0.18%. AAEQ is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
What is the holdings overlap between AAEQ and QQQ?
85.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings AAEQ also owns. 85.2% of QQQ's is in holdings AAEQ also owns. They hold 67 positions in common, counted across the 293 positions we hold weights for in AAEQ and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, AAEQ or QQQ?
AAEQ yields 0.09% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AAEQ?
AAEQ has a lower expense ratio. AAEQ is less concentrated, with 38.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.