LQIG vs QQQ
State Street SPDR MarketAxess Investment Grade 400 Corporate Bond ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, LQIG or QQQ?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Growth.
LQIG 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 | LQIG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $28M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.07% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 371 | 321 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.1%Best | 20.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -11.9%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 4 years | $11,524 | $24,910Best |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 11, 2022 | 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 155 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. LQIG has data through May 12, 2026 and QQQ through Oct 14, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 12, 2022 to May 12, 2026 (4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.0% compared with 9.1% for LQIG. 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 -11.9% for LQIG and -22.8% 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
LQIG charges 0.07% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $18 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, LQIG currently yields 5.07% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 82 holdings in LQIG and 101 in QQQ, totalling 20.6% and 99.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 244 days apart, LQIG as of Jan 30, 2026 and QQQ as of Oct 1, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 82 positions we hold weights for in LQIG and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 371 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of LQIG 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, LQIG or QQQ?
LQIG has an expense ratio of 0.07% while QQQ charges 0.18%. LQIG is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, LQIG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.0% annualized versus 9.1% for LQIG. Worst drawdown: LQIG -11.9% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both LQIG and QQQ?
LQIG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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, LQIG or QQQ?
LQIG yields 5.07% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so LQIG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than LQIG?
LQIG 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.