EMXC vs QQQ
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EMXC or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. EMXC led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. EMXC is less concentrated, with 44.7% 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 | EMXC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $25.3B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 644 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +28.56%Best | +19.30% |
| 1Y Return | +42.52%Best | +22.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.40%Best | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.53% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.0% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -46.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,257 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 44.7%Best | 46.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 18, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 17, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.2 years).
EMXC 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 11.2 years both funds cover.
EMXC vs QQQ Performance
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China ETF (EMXC) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EMXC returned +42.52% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, EMXC is up 28.56% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, EMXC compounded at +26.40% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.53% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.68% annualized vs +7.34%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EMXC has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.0% compared with 18.8% 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 -46.1% for EMXC 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EMXC charges 0.25% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $18 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EMXC currently yields 1.94% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 604 holdings in EMXC and 101 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% 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 604 positions we hold weights for in EMXC and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 644 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for EMXC (96.3% of the fund), and 12 for EMXC that do not appear in QQQ (10.6%).
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 EMXC 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, EMXC or QQQ?
EMXC has an expense ratio of 0.25% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EMXC or QQQ?
Over the past year EMXC returned +42.52% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so EMXC leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), EMXC annualized +7.34% vs +18.68% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EMXC or QQQ?
EMXC has been the more volatile fund at 19.0% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: EMXC -46.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both EMXC and QQQ?
EMXC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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, EMXC or QQQ?
EMXC yields 1.94% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so EMXC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EMXC?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. EMXC led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. EMXC is less concentrated, with 44.7% 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.