QQQ vs YSEP
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, QQQ or YSEP?
Large Cap Growth against Multi Alternative.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | QQQ | YSEP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.90% |
| AUM | $506.1B | $126M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 321 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +19.30%Best | +7.59% |
| 1Y Return | +22.47%Best | +10.42% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.18%Best | +13.58% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.42%Best | +7.18% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.7% | 11.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | -22.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,484Best | $14,144 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Sep 17, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 20, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
QQQ vs YSEP 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs YSEP Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and FT Vest International Equity Moderate Buffer ETF - September (YSEP) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% while YSEP returned +10.42%. Year to date, QQQ is up 19.30% versus a gain of 7.59% for YSEP.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +26.18% per year against +13.58% for YSEP; over five years the annualized figures are +15.42% and +7.18% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.7% compared with 11.0% for YSEP. 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 -22.6% for YSEP. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while YSEP charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $90 annually, a gap of $72 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 0.00% for YSEP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and YSEP 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 YSEP?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while YSEP charges 0.90%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $72 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or YSEP?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% vs +10.42% for YSEP, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or YSEP?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.7% annualized versus 11.0% for YSEP. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs YSEP -22.6%.
Should I hold both QQQ and YSEP?
QQQ and YSEP have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, 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, QQQ or YSEP?
QQQ yields 0.42% while YSEP yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is YSEP better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.