MDYG vs QQQ
State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, MDYG or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
MDYG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDYG is less concentrated, with 14.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%.
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 | MDYG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $2.9B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.67% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 248 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +12.19% | +19.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.56% | +21.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.85% | +26.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.88% | +15.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.2%Best | 18.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -59.3% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,947 | $20,333Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.5%Best | 46.7% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 8, 2005 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 15, 2005 to Oct 15, 2026 (20.9 years).
MDYG 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 20.9 years both funds cover.
MDYG vs QQQ Performance
State Street SPDR S&P 400 Mid Cap Growth ETF (MDYG) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year MDYG returned +15.56% while QQQ returned +21.45%. Year to date, MDYG is up 12.19% versus a gain of 19.14% for QQQ.
Over three years, MDYG compounded at +15.85% per year against +26.10% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.88% and +15.25% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.99% annualized vs +8.99%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.4% compared with 18.2% for MDYG. 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 -59.3% for MDYG 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 0.84. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MDYG charges 0.15% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $18 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MDYG currently yields 0.67% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 247 holdings in MDYG and 101 in QQQ, totalling 100.0% 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 247 positions we hold weights for in MDYG and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 248 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 94 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for MDYG (97.2% of the fund), and 242 for MDYG that do not appear in QQQ (96.0%).
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 MDYG 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, MDYG or QQQ?
MDYG has an expense ratio of 0.15% while QQQ charges 0.18%. MDYG is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MDYG or QQQ?
Over the past year MDYG returned +15.56% vs +21.45% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), MDYG annualized +8.99% vs +14.99% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MDYG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.4% annualized versus 18.2% for MDYG. Worst drawdown: MDYG -59.3% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both MDYG and QQQ?
MDYG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.84, 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, MDYG or QQQ?
MDYG yields 0.67% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so MDYG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than MDYG?
MDYG has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. MDYG is less concentrated, with 14.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.