NUGO vs QQQ
Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, NUGO or QQQ?
Nearly the same fund. QQQ costs less.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.9%.
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 | NUGO | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.50% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2.5B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 46 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +9.15% | +19.14%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.63% | +21.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.45% | +26.10%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.88% | +15.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.4%Best | 20.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -38.0% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,529 | $20,333Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.9% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Nuveen | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 27, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 28, 2021 to Oct 15, 2026 (5 years).
NUGO 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 5 years both funds cover.
NUGO vs QQQ Performance
Nuveen Growth Opportunities ETF (NUGO) is an ETF from Nuveen and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year NUGO returned +10.63% while QQQ returned +21.45%. Year to date, NUGO is up 9.15% versus a gain of 19.14% for QQQ.
Over three years, NUGO compounded at +23.45% per year against +26.10% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.88% and +15.25% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 19.4% for NUGO. 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 -38.0% for NUGO 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 0.97. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
NUGO charges 0.50% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $50 vs $18 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, NUGO currently yields 0.00% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
76.9% of NUGO's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 60.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings NUGO also owns.
Most of NUGO is already inside QQQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
26 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in NUGO and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 46 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 43 and 101 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 68 positions NUGO does not, 36.7% of the fund.
Largest: GOOG 2.85%, SPCX 2.70%, INTC 2.64%, WMT 2.11%, CSCO 1.77%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in NUGO | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 15.71% | 8.33% | 7.38% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.05% | 7.35% | 0.30% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 10.15% | 3.05% | 7.10% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 7.15% | 5.76% | 1.39% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 5.98% | 2.53% | 3.45% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 3.02% | 5.02% | 2.00% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.05% | 4.17% | 1.12% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 1.90% | 4.07% | 2.17% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 2.09% | 3.26% | 1.17% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 2.24% | 2.82% | 0.58% |
76.9% of NUGO is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, NUGO or QQQ?
NUGO has an expense ratio of 0.50% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, NUGO or QQQ?
Over the past year NUGO returned +10.63% vs +21.45% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, NUGO or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 19.4% for NUGO. Worst drawdown: NUGO -38.0% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both NUGO and QQQ?
NUGO and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.97, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between NUGO and QQQ?
76.9% of NUGO's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 60.5% of QQQ's is in holdings NUGO also owns. They hold 26 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in NUGO and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, NUGO or QQQ?
NUGO yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than NUGO?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.97. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.