HYLS vs QQQ
First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, HYLS or QQQ?
High Yield Bond 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 | HYLS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.05% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.6B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.92% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 662 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -0.95% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.00% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.89% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.26% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.1%Best | 17.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -29.1%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,182 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 25, 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 27, 2013 to Oct 14, 2026 (13.6 years).
HYLS 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.
HYLS vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year HYLS returned +0.00% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, HYLS is down 0.95% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, HYLS compounded at +6.89% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +2.26% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.41% annualized vs +0.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.7% compared with 7.1% for HYLS. 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 -29.1% for HYLS 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
HYLS charges 1.05% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $105 vs $18 annually, a gap of $87 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, HYLS currently yields 6.92% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of HYLS 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, HYLS or QQQ?
HYLS has an expense ratio of 1.05% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $87 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, HYLS or QQQ?
Over the past year HYLS returned +0.00% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (14 years), HYLS annualized +0.80% vs +19.41% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, HYLS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.7% annualized versus 7.1% for HYLS. Worst drawdown: HYLS -29.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both HYLS and QQQ?
HYLS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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, HYLS or QQQ?
HYLS yields 6.92% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so HYLS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than HYLS?
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.