ISHG vs QQQ
iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, ISHG or QQQ?
Short Term Mid Quality 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 | ISHG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $844M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.48% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 193 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -2.18% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.11% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +5.15% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.30% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 7.6%Best | 17.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -37.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,851 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Short Term Mid Quality | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 21, 2009 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jan 28, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.7 years).
ISHG 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.
ISHG vs QQQ Performance
iShares 1-3 Year International Treasury Bond ETF (ISHG) 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 ISHG returned -1.11% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, ISHG is down 2.18% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, ISHG compounded at +5.15% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -0.30% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.89% annualized vs -0.61%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.8% compared with 7.6% for ISHG. 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 -37.6% for ISHG 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 0.40. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
ISHG charges 0.35% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $18 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, ISHG currently yields 1.48% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 8 holdings in ISHG and 101 in QQQ, totalling 2.3% and 99.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 8 positions we hold weights for in ISHG and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 193 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of ISHG 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, ISHG or QQQ?
ISHG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, ISHG or QQQ?
Over the past year ISHG returned -1.11% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), ISHG annualized -0.61% vs +19.89% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, ISHG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.8% annualized versus 7.6% for ISHG. Worst drawdown: ISHG -37.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both ISHG and QQQ?
ISHG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.40, 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, ISHG or QQQ?
ISHG yields 1.48% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so ISHG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than ISHG?
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.