QQQ vs XOP
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF
Which is better, QQQ or XOP?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y and the full window, XOP over 1Y and 5Y. XOP is less concentrated, with 31.2% 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 | XOP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.35% |
| AUM | $506.1B | $3.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 1.72% |
| Holdings | 321 | 54 |
| YTD Return | +19.30% | +55.40%Best |
| 1Y Return | +22.47% | +60.04%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.18%Best | +12.01% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.42% | +15.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.6%Best | 37.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5%Best | -91.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,484 | $20,949Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.7% | 31.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jun 19, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2006 to Oct 14, 2026 (20.3 years).
QQQ vs XOP 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.
QQQ vs XOP Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (XOP) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% while XOP returned +60.04%. Year to date, QQQ is up 19.30% versus a gain of 55.40% for XOP.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +26.18% per year against +12.01% for XOP; over five years the annualized figures are +15.42% and +15.94% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.82% annualized vs +2.42%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
XOP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 37.1% compared with 18.6% for QQQ. 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 -53.5% for QQQ and -91.0% for XOP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.42. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while XOP charges 0.35%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $35 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 1.72% for XOP.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings XOP also owns. 2.2% of XOP's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
XOP and QQQ share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 52 in XOP, against full books of 321 and 54.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 101 and 52 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 92 positions XOP does not, 96.1% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.33%, AAPL 7.35%, MSFT 5.76%, MU 5.02%, AMD 4.17%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in XOP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| FANGDiamondback Energy Inc - Common | 0.21% | 2.23% | 2.02% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and XOP 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 XOP?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while XOP charges 0.35%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or XOP?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% vs +60.04% for XOP, so XOP leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQQ annualized +15.82% vs +2.42% for XOP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or XOP?
XOP has been the more volatile fund at 37.1% annualized versus 18.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -53.5% vs XOP -91.0%.
Should I hold both QQQ and XOP?
QQQ and XOP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.42, 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 XOP?
2.2% of XOP's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.2% of XOP's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 52 in XOP.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or XOP?
QQQ yields 0.42% while XOP yields 1.72%, so XOP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is XOP better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y and the full window, XOP over 1Y and 5Y. XOP is less concentrated, with 31.2% 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.