PFRL vs QQQ
PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PFRL or QQQ?
Long Term High Quality against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y 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 | PFRL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.72% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $132M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 7.33% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 473 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +3.81% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.74% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.71% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +15.42% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.5%Best | 19.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.8%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 4.4 years | $13,899 | $26,134Best |
| Fund Family | PGIM Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term High Quality | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 17, 2022 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 4.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: May 24, 2022 to Oct 14, 2026 (4.4 years).
PFRL 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 4.4 years both funds cover.
PFRL vs QQQ Performance
PGIM Floating Rate Income ETF (PFRL) is an ETF from PGIM Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PFRL returned +5.74% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, PFRL is up 3.81% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, PFRL compounded at +7.71% per year against +26.18% for QQQ. Across the full 4-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +24.40% annualized vs +7.77%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 3.5% for PFRL. 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 -8.8% for PFRL 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
PFRL charges 0.72% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $72 vs $18 annually, a gap of $54 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PFRL currently yields 7.33% against 0.42% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PFRL 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, PFRL or QQQ?
PFRL has an expense ratio of 0.72% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $54 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PFRL or QQQ?
Over the past year PFRL returned +5.74% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), PFRL annualized +7.77% vs +24.40% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PFRL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 3.5% for PFRL. Worst drawdown: PFRL -8.8% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PFRL and QQQ?
PFRL 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, PFRL or QQQ?
PFRL yields 7.33% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so PFRL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PFRL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.