EWX vs QQQ
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, EWX or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ 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 | EWX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $665M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.57% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 3,452 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +7.57% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.03% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.28% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.08% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.9% | -49.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,433 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 12, 2008 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 16, 2008 to Oct 14, 2026 (18.4 years).
EWX 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
EWX vs QQQ Performance
State Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Small Cap ETF (EWX) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year EWX returned +10.03% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, EWX is up 7.57% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, EWX compounded at +12.28% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.08% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.87% annualized vs +2.22%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
EWX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% 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 -63.9% for EWX and -49.4% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
EWX charges 0.65% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $18 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, EWX currently yields 2.57% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in EWX and 101 in QQQ, totalling 0.5% 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 25 positions we hold weights for in EWX and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 3,452 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of EWX 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, EWX or QQQ?
EWX has an expense ratio of 0.65% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, EWX or QQQ?
Over the past year EWX returned +10.03% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), EWX annualized +2.22% vs +15.87% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, EWX or QQQ?
EWX has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: EWX -63.9% vs QQQ -49.4%.
Should I hold both EWX and QQQ?
EWX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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, EWX or QQQ?
EWX yields 2.57% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so EWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than EWX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ 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.