PRCS vs QQQ
Parnassus Core Select ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, PRCS or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.4%.
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 | PRCS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $184M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.12% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 54 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +9.48% | +21.69%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.74% | +24.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +27.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +16.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -18.2%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,726 | $14,171Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 59.4% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Parnassus Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 12, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 12, 2024 to Oct 13, 2026 (1.8 years).
PRCS 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
PRCS vs QQQ Performance
Parnassus Core Select ETF (PRCS) is an ETF from Parnassus Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year PRCS returned +12.74% while QQQ returned +24.10%. Year to date, PRCS is up 9.48% versus a gain of 21.69% 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 19.1% compared with 12.4% for PRCS. 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 -18.2% for PRCS 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PRCS charges 0.58% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $18 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PRCS currently yields 0.12% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
51.5% of PRCS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 35.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings PRCS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
10 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in PRCS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 54 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 86 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for PRCS (62.1% of the fund), and 16 for PRCS that do not appear in QQQ (48.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PRCS | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 11.00% | 5.88% | 5.12% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 7.80% | 8.45% | 0.65% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 4.10% | 7.80% | 3.70% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 8.30% | 3.15% | 5.15% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 6.50% | 4.41% | 2.09% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 3.80% | 1.60% | 2.20% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.70% | 2.74% | 1.04% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 2.90% | 0.95% | 1.95% |
| DASHDoordash Inc - A | 3.40% | 0.37% | 3.03% |
| SNPSSynopsys | 2.00% | 0.34% | 1.66% |
51.5% of PRCS 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, PRCS or QQQ?
PRCS has an expense ratio of 0.58% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PRCS or QQQ?
Over the past year PRCS returned +12.74% vs +24.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), PRCS annualized +9.25% vs +21.37% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PRCS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 12.4% for PRCS. Worst drawdown: PRCS -18.2% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both PRCS and QQQ?
PRCS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between PRCS and QQQ?
51.5% of PRCS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 35.7% of QQQ's is in holdings PRCS also owns. They hold 10 positions in common, counted across the 26 positions we hold weights for in PRCS and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, PRCS or QQQ?
PRCS yields 0.12% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than PRCS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 59.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.