HAWX vs QQQ
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI ACWI ex US ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HAWX or QQQ?
Large 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 | HAWX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $346M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.49% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 446 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +13.65% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +20.97% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.07% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.64% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -30.6%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,133 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 29, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 1, 2015 to Oct 14, 2026 (11.3 years).
HAWX 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 11.3 years both funds cover.
HAWX vs QQQ Performance
iShares Currency Hedged MSCI ACWI ex US ETF (HAWX) 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 HAWX returned +20.97% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, HAWX is up 13.65% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, HAWX compounded at +21.07% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.64% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.79% annualized vs +8.16%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 12.3% for HAWX. 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 -30.6% for HAWX 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 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HAWX charges 0.35% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $18 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HAWX currently yields 2.49% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 3 holdings in HAWX and 101 in QQQ, totalling 99.5% 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 3 positions we hold weights for in HAWX and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 446 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HAWX 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, HAWX or QQQ?
HAWX has an expense ratio of 0.35% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HAWX or QQQ?
Over the past year HAWX returned +20.97% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), HAWX annualized +8.16% vs +18.79% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HAWX or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 12.3% for HAWX. Worst drawdown: HAWX -30.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HAWX and QQQ?
HAWX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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, HAWX or QQQ?
HAWX yields 2.49% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so HAWX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HAWX?
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.