AIA vs QQQ
iShares Asia 50 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, AIA or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. AIA led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.4%.
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 | AIA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $4.7B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.51% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 64 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +32.09%Best | +19.30% |
| 1Y Return | +45.62%Best | +22.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +36.85%Best | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.45% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.2% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.1% | -51.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,794 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.4% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 13, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (18.9 years).
AIA 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 covers the 18.9 years both funds cover.
AIA vs QQQ Performance
iShares Asia 50 ETF (AIA) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year AIA returned +45.62% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, AIA is up 32.09% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, AIA compounded at +36.85% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +13.45% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.39% annualized vs +6.08%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
AIA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.2% compared with 18.9% 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 -61.1% for AIA and -51.4% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.69. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
AIA charges 0.50% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $18 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, AIA currently yields 1.51% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 54 holdings in AIA and 101 in QQQ, totalling 99.7% and 99.6% 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 54 positions we hold weights for in AIA and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 64 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for AIA (96.3% of the fund), and 2 for AIA that do not appear in QQQ (15.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of AIA and QQQ 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, AIA or QQQ?
AIA has an expense ratio of 0.50% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, AIA or QQQ?
Over the past year AIA returned +45.62% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so AIA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), AIA annualized +6.08% vs +15.39% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, AIA or QQQ?
AIA has been the more volatile fund at 22.2% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: AIA -61.1% vs QQQ -51.4%.
Should I hold both AIA and QQQ?
AIA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.69, 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, AIA or QQQ?
AIA yields 1.51% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so AIA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than AIA?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. AIA led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.