QQQ vs SIXL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF
Which is better, QQQ or SIXL?
Large Cap Growth against Mid Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIXL is less concentrated, with 4.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%.
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 | QQQ | SIXL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.47% |
| AUM | $506.1B | $200M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 2.28% |
| Holdings | 321 | 565 |
| YTD Return | +19.30%Best | +7.99% |
| 1Y Return | +22.47%Best | +8.34% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.18%Best | +9.86% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.42%Best | +4.37% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.2% | 12.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -16.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,484Best | $12,384 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.7% | 4.8%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | 6 Meridian ETF |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Mid Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | May 11, 2020 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2020 to Oct 14, 2026 (6.4 years).
QQQ vs SIXL 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs SIXL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) is an ETF from 6 Meridian ETF. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% while SIXL returned +8.34%. Year to date, QQQ is up 19.30% versus a gain of 7.99% for SIXL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +26.18% per year against +9.86% for SIXL; over five years the annualized figures are +15.42% and +4.37% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.54% annualized vs +8.17%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.2% compared with 12.6% for SIXL. 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -16.1% for SIXL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SIXL charges 0.47%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $47 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 2.28% for SIXL.
Holdings Overlap
4.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings SIXL also owns. 3.3% of SIXL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
QQQ and SIXL share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 242 in SIXL, against full books of 321 and 565.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 227 positions for SIXL that do not appear in our book for QQQ (93.8% of the fund), and 85 for QQQ that do not appear in SIXL (91.9%).
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 QQQ | Weight in SIXL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 2.11% | 0.43% | 1.68% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.72% | 0.40% | 0.32% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 0.43% | 0.42% | 0.01% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc. Class A | 0.31% | 0.41% | 0.10% |
| AEPAmerican Electric Power Co Inc | 0.27% | 0.42% | 0.15% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc. | 0.21% | 0.40% | 0.19% |
| EXCExelon Corp. | 0.17% | 0.41% | 0.24% |
| PAYXPaychex, Inc. | 0.15% | 0.37% | 0.22% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SIXL 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, QQQ or SIXL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SIXL charges 0.47%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SIXL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% vs +8.34% for SIXL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), QQQ annualized +20.54% vs +8.17% for SIXL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SIXL?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.2% annualized versus 12.6% for SIXL. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs SIXL -16.1%.
Should I hold both QQQ and SIXL?
QQQ and SIXL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, 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 QQQ and SIXL?
4.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings SIXL also owns. 3.3% of SIXL's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 242 in SIXL.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SIXL?
QQQ yields 0.42% while SIXL yields 2.28%, so SIXL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SIXL better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SIXL is less concentrated, with 4.8% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.