CLOU vs QQQ
Global X Cloud Computing ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, CLOU or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. CLOU led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.0%.
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 | CLOU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.68% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $417M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 81 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +30.74%Best | +19.30% |
| 1Y Return | +25.08%Best | +22.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.35% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.92% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 25.6% | 20.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,548 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.0% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 12, 2019 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 16, 2019 to Oct 14, 2026 (7.5 years).
CLOU 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 7.5 years both funds cover.
CLOU vs QQQ Performance
Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU) is an ETF from Global X by mirae Asset and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year CLOU returned +25.08% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, CLOU is up 30.74% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, CLOU compounded at +15.35% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -0.92% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.48% annualized vs +9.36%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CLOU has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.6% compared with 20.4% 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 -53.7% for CLOU and -35.1% 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CLOU charges 0.68% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $68 vs $18 annually, a gap of $50 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CLOU currently yields 0.00% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
18.4% of CLOU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 14.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings CLOU also owns.
CLOU and QQQ share little of their money.
6 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in CLOU and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 81 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 88 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for CLOU (82.9% of the fund), and 28 for CLOU that do not appear in QQQ (76.6%).
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 CLOU 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, CLOU or QQQ?
CLOU has an expense ratio of 0.68% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $50 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CLOU or QQQ?
Over the past year CLOU returned +25.08% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so CLOU leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), CLOU annualized +9.36% vs +20.48% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CLOU or QQQ?
CLOU has been the more volatile fund at 25.6% annualized versus 20.4% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: CLOU -53.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both CLOU and QQQ?
CLOU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between CLOU and QQQ?
18.4% of CLOU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 14.2% of QQQ's is in holdings CLOU also owns. They hold 6 positions in common, counted across the 37 positions we hold weights for in CLOU and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, CLOU or QQQ?
CLOU yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than CLOU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. CLOU led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.