QAI vs QQQ
NYLIM Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, QAI or QQQ?
Multi Alternative against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.5%.
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 | QAI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.81% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.0B | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.40% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 129 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +6.11% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.83% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.92% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +3.85% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 5.2%Best | 17.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -14.9%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,079 | $20,484Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.5% | 46.7%Best |
| Fund Family | New York Life Investments | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 25, 2009 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 25, 2009 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.6 years).
QAI 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QAI vs QQQ Performance
NYLIM Hedge Multi-Strategy Tracker ETF (QAI) is an ETF from New York Life Investments and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year QAI returned +7.83% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, QAI is up 6.11% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, QAI compounded at +7.92% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +3.85% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.05% annualized vs +3.27%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.6% compared with 5.2% for QAI. 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 -14.9% for QAI 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QAI charges 0.81% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $81 vs $18 annually, a gap of $63 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QAI currently yields 1.40% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 32 holdings in QAI and 101 in QQQ, totalling 99.6% 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 32 positions we hold weights for in QAI and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 129 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for QAI (96.3% of the fund), and 32 for QAI that do not appear in QQQ (99.6%).
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 QAI 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, QAI or QQQ?
QAI has an expense ratio of 0.81% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $63 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QAI or QQQ?
Over the past year QAI returned +7.83% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), QAI annualized +3.27% vs +20.05% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QAI or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.6% annualized versus 5.2% for QAI. Worst drawdown: QAI -14.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both QAI and QQQ?
QAI 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, QAI or QQQ?
QAI yields 1.40% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QAI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than QAI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.