DFIV vs QQQ
Dimensional International Value ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DFIV or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DFIV led over 1Y and the full window, QQQ over 3Y and 5Y. DFIV is less concentrated, with 15.6% 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 | DFIV | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.27% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $21.7B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.78% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 607 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +12.68% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +25.67%Best | +22.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.89% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.84% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.7%Best | 20.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.4%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,974 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 15.6%Best | 46.7% |
| Fund Family | Dimensional | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 16, 1999 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 13, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
DFIV 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
DFIV vs QQQ Performance
Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) is an ETF from Dimensional and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DFIV returned +25.67% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, DFIV is up 12.68% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, DFIV compounded at +23.89% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.84% and +15.42% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 15.7% for DFIV. 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 -25.4% for DFIV 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 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DFIV charges 0.27% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $27 vs $18 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DFIV currently yields 2.78% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 589 holdings in DFIV and 101 in QQQ, totalling 97.3% 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 589 positions we hold weights for in DFIV and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 607 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for DFIV (96.3% of the fund), and 14 for DFIV that do not appear in QQQ (6.2%).
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 DFIV 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, DFIV or QQQ?
DFIV has an expense ratio of 0.27% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DFIV or QQQ?
Over the past year DFIV returned +25.67% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so DFIV leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DFIV or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 15.7% for DFIV. Worst drawdown: DFIV -25.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both DFIV and QQQ?
DFIV and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, 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, DFIV or QQQ?
DFIV yields 2.78% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so DFIV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DFIV?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. DFIV led over 1Y and the full window, QQQ over 3Y and 5Y. DFIV is less concentrated, with 15.6% 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.