IHAK vs QQQ
iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IHAK or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IHAK led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.3%.
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 | IHAK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.47% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.2B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.07% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 48 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +46.59%Best | +19.14% |
| 1Y Return | +35.01%Best | +21.45% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.70% | +26.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.01% | +15.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 20.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.4%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,393 | $20,333Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 51.3% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 11, 2019 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 13, 2019 to Oct 15, 2026 (7.3 years).
IHAK 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 7.3 years both funds cover.
IHAK vs QQQ Performance
iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (IHAK) 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 IHAK returned +35.01% while QQQ returned +21.45%. Year to date, IHAK is up 46.59% versus a gain of 19.14% for QQQ.
Over three years, IHAK compounded at +20.70% per year against +26.10% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.01% and +15.25% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.21% annualized vs +14.94%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IHAK has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 20.2% 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 -34.4% for IHAK 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IHAK charges 0.47% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $47 vs $18 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IHAK currently yields 0.07% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
14.4% of IHAK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings IHAK also owns.
IHAK and QQQ share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in IHAK and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 48 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 91 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for IHAK (94.2% of the fund), and 20 for IHAK that do not appear in QQQ (65.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IHAK 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, IHAK or QQQ?
IHAK has an expense ratio of 0.47% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IHAK or QQQ?
Over the past year IHAK returned +35.01% vs +21.45% for QQQ, so IHAK leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), IHAK annualized +14.94% vs +21.21% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IHAK or QQQ?
IHAK has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 20.2% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IHAK -34.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both IHAK and QQQ?
IHAK and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, 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 IHAK and QQQ?
14.4% of IHAK's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 3.0% of QQQ's is in holdings IHAK also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 35 positions we hold weights for in IHAK and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, IHAK or QQQ?
IHAK yields 0.07% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IHAK?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. IHAK led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 51.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.