GLDI vs QQQ
ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETN vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, GLDI or QQQ?
Gold 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 | GLDI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $181M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 22.20% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | - | 321 |
| YTD Return | -3.32% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +2.72% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.25% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.08% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 11.0%Best | 20.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,911 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | UBS AG | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Commodity | Equity |
| Style | Gold | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 29, 2013 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 22, 2018 to Oct 14, 2026 (8.6 years).
GLDI 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 8.6 years both funds cover.
GLDI vs QQQ Performance
ETRACS Gold Shares Covered Call ETN (GLDI) is an ETF from UBS AG and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year GLDI returned +2.72% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, GLDI is down 3.32% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, GLDI compounded at +18.25% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.08% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.24% annualized vs +6.29%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 11.0% for GLDI. 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 -19.6% for GLDI 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 0.14. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
GLDI 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, GLDI currently yields 22.20% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of GLDI 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, GLDI or QQQ?
GLDI 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, GLDI or QQQ?
Over the past year GLDI returned +2.72% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), GLDI annualized +6.29% vs +19.24% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, GLDI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 11.0% for GLDI. Worst drawdown: GLDI -19.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both GLDI and QQQ?
GLDI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.14, 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, GLDI or QQQ?
GLDI yields 22.20% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so GLDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than GLDI?
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.