ISCB vs QQQ
iShares Morningstar Small-Cap ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ISCB or QQQ?
Small Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
ISCB 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 | ISCB | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.04%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $271M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.27% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 1,571 | 321 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.7% | 18.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -61.9% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 22.3 years | $52,397 | $212,117Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 28, 2004 | Mar 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 12 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. ISCB has data through Oct 2, 2026 and QQQ through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 22.3 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 2, 2004 to Oct 2, 2026 (22.3 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ISCB has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.7% compared with 18.3% 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 -61.9% for ISCB 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISCB charges 0.04% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $4 vs $18 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISCB currently yields 1.27% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 0.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings ISCB also owns.
Stated as a floor: for ISCB, our book for it covers 92.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1,345 positions we hold weights for in ISCB and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 1,571 and 321.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in ISCB | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GILDGilead Sciences Inc | 0.00% | 0.77% | 0.77% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISCB 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, ISCB or QQQ?
ISCB has an expense ratio of 0.04% while QQQ charges 0.18%. ISCB is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, ISCB or QQQ?
ISCB has been the more volatile fund at 19.7% annualized versus 18.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: ISCB -61.9% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both ISCB and QQQ?
ISCB and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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, ISCB or QQQ?
ISCB yields 1.27% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so ISCB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ISCB?
ISCB 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.