IEO vs QQQ
iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IEO or QQQ?
All Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IEO led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.0%.
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 | IEO | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $879M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.66% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 50 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +65.71%Best | +19.30% |
| 1Y Return | +72.23%Best | +22.47% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +16.83% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +21.74%Best | +15.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.2% | 18.5%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.7% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $26,740Best | $20,484 |
| Top 10 Weight | 71.0% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | All Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 1, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 5, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.4 years).
IEO 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 20.4 years both funds cover.
IEO vs QQQ Performance
iShares US Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (IEO) 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 IEO returned +72.23% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, IEO is up 65.71% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, IEO compounded at +16.83% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +21.74% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.15% annualized vs +6.20%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IEO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.2% compared with 18.5% 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 -80.7% for IEO and -53.5% 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 0.43. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IEO charges 0.37% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $18 annually, a gap of $19 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IEO currently yields 1.66% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
4.3% of IEO's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings IEO also owns.
IEO and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in IEO and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 50 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 48 and 101 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 92 positions IEO does not, 96.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.33%, AAPL 7.35%, MSFT 5.76%, MU 5.02%, AMD 4.17%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IEO | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc - Common | 4.27% | 0.21% | 4.06% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IEO 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, IEO or QQQ?
IEO has an expense ratio of 0.37% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $19 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IEO or QQQ?
Over the past year IEO returned +72.23% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so IEO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), IEO annualized +6.20% vs +15.15% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IEO or QQQ?
IEO has been the more volatile fund at 32.2% annualized versus 18.5% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IEO -80.7% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both IEO and QQQ?
IEO and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.43, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IEO and QQQ?
4.3% of IEO's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.2% of QQQ's is in holdings IEO also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 48 positions we hold weights for in IEO and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IEO or QQQ?
IEO yields 1.66% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so IEO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IEO?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IEO led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 71.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.