DRSK vs QQQ
Aptus Defined Risk ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DRSK or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 90.7%.
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 | DRSK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.78% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.04% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 39 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -4.40% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.11% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.66% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.47% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.9%Best | 20.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.9%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,757 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 90.7% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Aptus Capital Advisors | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 7, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 8, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.2 years).
DRSK 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 8.2 years both funds cover.
DRSK vs QQQ Performance
Aptus Defined Risk ETF (DRSK) is an ETF from Aptus Capital Advisors and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DRSK returned -7.11% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, DRSK is down 4.40% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, DRSK compounded at +7.66% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +1.47% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.96% annualized vs +4.18%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.5% compared with 7.9% for DRSK. 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 -19.9% for DRSK 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DRSK charges 0.78% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $78 vs $18 annually, a gap of $60 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DRSK currently yields 4.04% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 13 holdings in DRSK and 101 in QQQ, totalling 96.2% 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 13 positions we hold weights for in DRSK and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 39 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for DRSK (96.3% of the fund), and 13 for DRSK that do not appear in QQQ (96.2%).
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 DRSK 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, DRSK or QQQ?
DRSK has an expense ratio of 0.78% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $60 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DRSK or QQQ?
Over the past year DRSK returned -7.11% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), DRSK annualized +4.18% vs +18.96% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DRSK or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.5% annualized versus 7.9% for DRSK. Worst drawdown: DRSK -19.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both DRSK and QQQ?
DRSK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, DRSK or QQQ?
DRSK yields 4.04% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so DRSK currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DRSK?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 90.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.