ASCI vs QQQ
abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ASCI or QQQ?
Small Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y. ASCI is less concentrated, with 33.6% 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 | ASCI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.70% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $78M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.76% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 55 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +5.85% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.40% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 21.9% |
| Top 10 Weight | 33.6%Best | 46.7% |
| Fund Family | Aberdeen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 30, 1996 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
ASCI 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.
ASCI vs QQQ Performance
abrdn International Small Cap Active ETF (ASCI) is an ETF from Aberdeen and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year ASCI returned +7.40% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, ASCI is up 5.85% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.9% compared with 15.2% for ASCI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ASCI charges 0.70% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $70 vs $18 annually, a gap of $52 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ASCI currently yields 0.76% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 53 holdings in ASCI and 101 in QQQ, totalling 97.4% 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 53 positions we hold weights for in ASCI and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 55 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for ASCI (96.3% of the fund), and 2 for ASCI that do not appear in QQQ (2.6%).
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 ASCI 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, ASCI or QQQ?
ASCI has an expense ratio of 0.70% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $52 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ASCI or QQQ?
Over the past year ASCI returned +7.40% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ASCI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.9% annualized versus 15.2% for ASCI.
Should I hold both ASCI and QQQ?
ASCI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, ASCI or QQQ?
ASCI yields 0.76% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so ASCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ASCI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y. ASCI is less concentrated, with 33.6% 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.