CQQQ vs VXUS
Invesco China Technology ETF vs Vanguard Total International Stock ETF
Which is better, CQQQ or VXUS?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | CQQQ | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.05%Best |
| AUM | $2.4B | $163.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.51% | 2.34% |
| Holdings | 187 | 8,844 |
| YTD Return | -22.69% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | -21.88% | +17.01%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.96% | +19.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -8.69% | +8.55%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 28.7% | 15.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.0% | -39.9%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,347 | $15,071Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 8, 2009 | Jan 26, 2011 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2011 to Oct 14, 2026 (15.7 years).
CQQQ vs VXUS 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 15.7 years both funds cover.
CQQQ vs VXUS Performance
Invesco China Technology ETF (CQQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CQQQ returned -21.88% while VXUS returned +17.01%. Year to date, CQQQ is down 22.69% versus a gain of 10.00% for VXUS.
Over three years, CQQQ compounded at +5.96% per year against +19.55% for VXUS; over five years the annualized figures are -8.69% and +8.55% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VXUS has the edge at +4.53% annualized vs +3.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
CQQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 28.7% compared with 15.0% for VXUS. 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 -74.0% for CQQQ and -39.9% for VXUS. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.62. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CQQQ charges 0.65% per year while VXUS charges 0.05%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $5 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CQQQ currently yields 2.51% against 2.34% for VXUS.
Holdings Overlap
At least 63.7% of CQQQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VXUS, our book for it covers 91.3% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
169 positions in common, counted across the 211 positions we hold weights for in CQQQ and 8,425 in VXUS, against full books of 187 and 8,844.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in CQQQ | Weight in VXUS | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDD:IEPdd Holdings Inc | 10.11% | 0.14% | 9.97% |
| 9888:HKBaidu, Inc. Class A Ordinary Shares - Cl A | 6.40% | 0.06% | 6.34% |
| 1024:HKKuaishou Technology | 3.76% | 0.03% | 3.73% |
| 1888:HKKingboard Laminates Holdings Ltd | 2.11% | 0.01% | 2.10% |
| 688256:SHCambricon Technologies Corporation | 1.90% | 0.01% | 1.89% |
| 002371:SHNaura Technology Group Co. Ltd. Class A | 1.35% | 0.01% | 1.34% |
| 9660:HKHorizon Robotics | 1.35% | 0.01% | 1.34% |
| 9626:HKBilibili Inc | 1.29% | 0.01% | 1.28% |
| 100:SHMinimax Group Inc | 1.23% | 0.00% | 1.23% |
| 600183:SHShengyi Technology Co. Ltd. Class A | 0.93% | 0.01% | 0.92% |
63.7% of CQQQ is already inside VXUS.
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, CQQQ or VXUS?
CQQQ has an expense ratio of 0.65% while VXUS charges 0.05%. VXUS is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CQQQ or VXUS?
Over the past year CQQQ returned -21.88% vs +17.01% for VXUS, so VXUS leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), CQQQ annualized +3.45% vs +4.53% for VXUS. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CQQQ or VXUS?
CQQQ has been the more volatile fund at 28.7% annualized versus 15.0% for VXUS. Worst drawdown: CQQQ -74.0% vs VXUS -39.9%.
Should I hold both CQQQ and VXUS?
CQQQ and VXUS have a monthly-return correlation of 0.62, 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 CQQQ and VXUS?
At least 63.7% of CQQQ's money is in holdings VXUS also owns. Our book for VXUS is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 169 positions in common, counted across the 211 positions we hold weights for in CQQQ and 8,425 in VXUS.
Which pays a higher dividend, CQQQ or VXUS?
CQQQ yields 2.51% while VXUS yields 2.34%, so CQQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VXUS better than CQQQ?
VXUS has a lower expense ratio. VXUS led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.