NSCI vs QQQ
Nuveen Securitized Income ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, NSCI or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
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 | NSCI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.38% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $292M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.31% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 478 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +2.24% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.30% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +26.18% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.7%Best | 21.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.1%Best | -12.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,409 | $12,397Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 24, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.1 years).
NSCI 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 1.1 years both funds cover.
NSCI vs QQQ Performance
Nuveen Securitized Income ETF (NSCI) is an ETF from Nuveen and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year NSCI returned +3.30% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, NSCI is up 2.24% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.2% compared with 1.7% for NSCI. 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 -1.1% for NSCI and -12.0% 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 0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NSCI charges 0.38% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $38 vs $18 annually, a gap of $20 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NSCI currently yields 4.31% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 30 holdings in NSCI and 101 in QQQ, totalling 15.4% 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 30 positions we hold weights for in NSCI and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 478 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of NSCI 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, NSCI or QQQ?
NSCI has an expense ratio of 0.38% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $20 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NSCI or QQQ?
Over the past year NSCI returned +3.30% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), NSCI annualized +3.71% vs +21.57% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NSCI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 21.2% annualized versus 1.7% for NSCI. Worst drawdown: NSCI -1.1% vs QQQ -12.0%.
Should I hold both NSCI and QQQ?
NSCI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.24, 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, NSCI or QQQ?
NSCI yields 4.31% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so NSCI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than NSCI?
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.