HLGE vs QQQ

HLGE vs QQQ

Which is better, HLGE or QQQ?

Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window.

Lower Fees: QQQHigher Returns: QQQ

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

MetricHLGEQQQ
Expense Ratio0.44%0.18%Best
AUM$13M$506.1B
Dividend Yield1.34%0.42%
Holdings342321
Volatility (annualized)16.4%Best20.6%
Max Drawdown-23.9%Best-35.1%
$10,000 over 4.3 years$13,387$17,043Best
Fund FamilyHartford FundsInvesco (US)
CategoryEquityEquity
StyleMid Cap BlendLarge Cap Growth
InceptionMar 16, 2021Mar 10, 1999

Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.

The two price series end 478 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. HLGE has data through Jun 23, 2025 and QQQ through Oct 14, 2026.

Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 17, 2021 to Jun 23, 2025 (4.3 years).

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.6% compared with 16.4% for HLGE. 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 -23.9% for HLGE 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

Fees and Cost Over Time

HLGE charges 0.44% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $44 vs $18 annually, a gap of $26 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HLGE currently yields 1.34% against 0.42% for QQQ.

You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.

Whichever of HLGE and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.

HLGEQQQ

Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, HLGE or QQQ?

HLGE has an expense ratio of 0.44% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $26 a year on a $10,000 investment.

Which is riskier, HLGE or QQQ?

QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.6% annualized versus 16.4% for HLGE. Worst drawdown: HLGE -23.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.

Should I hold both HLGE and QQQ?

HLGE and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, 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, HLGE or QQQ?

HLGE yields 1.34% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so HLGE currently pays the higher dividend yield.

Is QQQ better than HLGE?

QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.