IONL vs QQQ
GraniteShares 2x Long IONQ Daily ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, IONL or QQQ?
Trading-Leveraged Equity against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y 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 | IONL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.50% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $61M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 4 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -78.96% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -94.08% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 203.8% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -94.7% | -15.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $3,055 | $15,046Best |
| Fund Family | GraniteShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Leveraged Equity | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 25, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.6 years).
IONL 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 1.6 years both funds cover.
IONL vs QQQ Performance
GraniteShares 2x Long IONQ Daily ETF (IONL) is an ETF from GraniteShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year IONL returned -94.08% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, IONL is down 78.96% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IONL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 203.8% compared with 18.8% 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 -94.7% for IONL and -15.7% 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IONL charges 1.50% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $150 vs $18 annually, a gap of $132 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IONL currently yields 0.00% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IONL 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, IONL or QQQ?
IONL has an expense ratio of 1.50% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $132 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IONL or QQQ?
Over the past year IONL returned -94.08% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), IONL annualized -52.34% vs +29.09% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IONL or QQQ?
IONL has been the more volatile fund at 203.8% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: IONL -94.7% vs QQQ -15.7%.
Should I hold both IONL and QQQ?
IONL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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, IONL or QQQ?
IONL yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than IONL?
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.