Etfs Like QQQ: Performance, Costs, and Options

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If you're considering investing in ETFs like QQQ, it's essential to understand their performance, costs, and options. QQQ, also known as the Invesco QQQ ETF, is a popular choice among investors due to its exposure to the Nasdaq-100 Index.

The QQQ ETF has a relatively low expense ratio of 0.20%, which is lower than many actively managed funds. This means you'll pay less in fees compared to other investment options.

Investors who choose QQQ can expect a high level of diversification, as the fund tracks an index of the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on the Nasdaq exchange.

What Are ETFs?

ETFs are investments that own a bucketful of other investments, just like mutual funds. They can own individual stocks, bonds, commodities, and even currencies.

Some ETFs own the investments dictated by an index, such as the Nasdaq-100, which is what QQQ stock does. Others own stocks in specific sectors, like information technology or utilities.

What Is Stock?

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Stocks are essentially a way for people to own a small piece of a company. QQQ stock is one of the most popular exchange-traded funds in the world, holding more than $300 billion in investors' assets.

The QQQ stock tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, which owns the most valuable nonfinancial stocks on the Nasdaq. This means it's very tech-heavy, as most of the world's biggest technology stocks still trade on the Nasdaq.

The largest ETF, SPY stock, owns all the stocks in the S&P 500, making it a broad market ETF.

What Are ETFs?

ETFs are investments that own a bucketful of other investments, similar to mutual funds. They can own a wide range of assets, including individual stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies.

Some ETFs own the stocks in specific indexes, such as the Nasdaq-100, which is owned by QQQ stock. Others own stocks in indexes for small or midsize companies.

You can also buy ETFs that focus on specific types of stocks, like growth stocks or value stocks. And there are even ETFs that own stocks in specific sectors, such as information technology or utilities.

Some ETFs are more exotic, like inverse ETFs that rise in value when the market falls. And then there are ETFs that own commodities like gold or silver.

QQQ Overview

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The QQQ ETF has been available in the US market since 1999, managed by Invesco.

It's tracked by the Nasdaq 100 index, which includes the 100 largest stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Companies from sectors like hardware and software, telecommunications, retail, and biotechnology are included, but energy, finance, and real estate sectors are not.

The QQQ ETF allows investors to benefit from price gains and dividends of the Nasdaq 100 constituents.

Currently, the Nasdaq 100 index is tracked by 13 ETFs.

Performance Comparison

When selecting an ETF like QQQ, it's essential to consider the performance of the fund. The size of the fund can be a good indicator of its performance, with larger funds often having more resources to invest.

The largest Nasdaq 100 ETF in the list is the iShares Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF (Acc) with a fund size of 16,658 million EUR.

The TER (Total Expense Ratio) of an ETF can also impact its performance, with lower TERs generally resulting in higher returns. The lowest TER in the list is 0.14% p.a. for the AXA IM Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF USD Acc.

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The use of profits can also affect an ETF's performance, with accumulating funds reinvesting profits and distributing funds distributing them to investors. The list shows that some ETFs, like the Amundi Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF EUR (C), accumulate profits, while others, like the Invesco EQQQ Nasdaq-100 UCITS ETF, distribute them.

Here's a summary of the fund sizes and TERs of the ETFs in the list:

The replication method of an ETF can also impact its performance, with full replication often resulting in more accurate tracking of the underlying index. The list shows that some ETFs, like the iShares Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF (Acc), use full replication, while others, like the Amundi Nasdaq-100 II UCITS ETF, use an unfunded swap.

Comparison

When selecting an ETF like QQQ, there are several factors to consider beyond just past performance.

The size of the fund is an important consideration, with the iShares Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF (Acc) having a fund size of 16,658 million EUR, making it one of the largest options available.

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The TER, or total expense ratio, is another key factor, with the iShares Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF (Acc) having a TER of 0.33% p.a.

The use of profits is also worth considering, with some ETFs distributing profits to investors and others accumulating them within the fund.

Here's a comparison of the TERs of some popular Nasdaq 100 ETFs:

The replication method is also an important consideration, with some ETFs using full replication and others using unfunded swaps.

Cost and Expense

The cost of investing in ETFs like QQQ can be a crucial factor in your decision. The total expense ratio (TER) of Nasdaq 100 ETFs is between 0.14% p.a. and 0.33% p.a., which is significantly lower than most actively managed funds.

One ETF that stands out for its low cost is the AXA IM Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF USD Acc, with a TER of just 0.14% p.a. This means you'll save money on fees compared to other ETFs in the same category.

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If you're looking for a cheaper version of a famous fund, you might want to consider the Invesco NASDAQ 100, which charges an expense ratio of 0.15% compared to the 0.20% charged by the Invesco QQQ Trust.

Invesco also offers a newer ETF, QQQM, which has an expense ratio 0.05% less than QQQ. This might not seem like a lot, but it can add up over time.

Here are some examples of mini-me ETFs that offer lower expenses and trading prices compared to their larger, well-established counterparts:

Remember, while cost is an important factor, it's not the only thing to consider when choosing an ETF.

Investment Options

ETFs like QQQ offer a convenient way to invest in a diversified portfolio, with the QQQ ETF tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial stocks listed on the Nasdaq.

This diversification can help reduce risk and increase potential returns over the long-term.

With a minimum investment requirement of $100, QQQ is an accessible option for individual investors looking to get started with ETFs.

What Is M?

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M is essentially a clone of QQQ, which means it's also from Invesco and tracks the same portfolio.

It debuted in 2020 and has over $31 billion in assets.

This similarity to QQQ is a key factor in choosing between these two nearly identical portfolios available in ETF form.

Invesco's decision to create QQQM likely stems from its goal of offering investors more options with slight variations in their investment choices.

Alternative Options and Pricing

If you're considering investing in the Nasdaq 100, you're not limited to the Invesco QQQ Trust. There are alternative options available, like the Invesco Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQM), which owns all 100 non-financial companies on the Nasdaq but at a lower fee of 0.15% per year.

The Invesco QQQ Trust charges 0.20% per year, making QQQM a more cost-effective choice. QQQM also gives you the same exposure to the Nasdaq 100 as the Invesco QQQ Trust, but at a lower price point.

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Another option is the First Trust Nasdaq-100 Equal Weighted Index Fund (QQEW), which owns all 100 non-financial stocks on the Nasdaq but with equal weightings, rather than weighting them based on their value. However, QQEW charges 0.58% per year, which is higher than QQQM.

Here's a comparison of the prices and expense ratios of the Invesco QQQ Trust and the Invesco Nasdaq 100 ETF:

Overall, QQQM seems like a more attractive option, given its lower expense ratio and price point.

Investment Strategy

Investing in ETFs like QQQ requires a solid investment strategy to maximize returns.

QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, which means it's a great way to invest in the largest non-financial stocks in the US.

Having a long-term perspective is key when investing in QQQ, as it's designed to track the performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index over time.

A well-diversified portfolio is essential for minimizing risk, and QQQ can be a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio.

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By investing in QQQ, you'll gain exposure to the growth of the tech industry, which has been a driving force behind the US economy.

The QQQ ETF has a low expense ratio, making it a cost-effective way to invest in the Nasdaq-100 Index.

Investors should set clear financial goals and risk tolerance before investing in QQQ, as it's not suitable for conservative investors.

Regular portfolio rebalancing is crucial to ensure the portfolio remains aligned with the investor's goals and risk tolerance.

Historically, QQQ has been a volatile investment, with significant price swings in both directions.

Investors should be prepared for potential losses and have a plan in place to manage risk.

Tax Efficiency and Dividends

QQQ and QQQM are highly tax-efficient, especially compared to mutual funds tracking the same Nasdaq 100 index. This is due to the inherent structural advantages of ETFs when taxation is concerned.

ETFs like QQQ and QQQM have a creation/redemption system that avoids surprise tax events, unlike mutual funds that distribute capital gains to all shareholders annually.

It would take a 50% drop in both QQQ and QQQM to even approach the present yield of the S&P 500, which yields around 1.25%, and that assumes no companies in QQQ and QQQM cut their dividends.

Tax Efficiency

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ETFs have become popular because their structure is more tax-efficient than mutual funds.

The creation/redemption system of ETFs avoids surprise tax events that can occur with mutual funds.

Mutual funds distribute capital gains earned by the fund to all shareholders annually.

ETFs are highly tax-efficient, especially when compared to mutual funds tracking the same index.

Both ETFs are highly tax-efficient due to their structural advantages.

Dividend Yields

Dividend yields are a crucial consideration for investors, especially those seeking tax efficiency. QQQ and QQQM have relatively low yields of 0.56% and 0.66% respectively.

To put these yields into perspective, it would take a 50% drop in both ETFs to approach the present yield of the S&P 500, which yields around 1.25%. This assumes no companies in QQQ and QQQM cut their dividends.

Many investors don't buy tech stocks for their dividend potential, but some notable tech companies like Apple and Microsoft do pay decent dividends. However, these dividends are a small fraction of the overall yield of the S&P 500, with QQQ stock's dividend yield being just 0.6%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fund is better than QQQ?

VTI has outperformed QQQ over the past 10 years with a higher average annual return, driven by its broader diversification and exposure to small- and mid-cap stocks

Is there a cheap version of QQQ?

Yes, QQQM is a cheaper alternative to QQQ with an expense ratio of 0.15% compared to QQQ's 0.2%. However, it has lower trading volume, making it a consideration for buy-and-hold investors.

Danielle Hamill

Senior Writer

Danielle Hamill is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in finance, she brings a unique perspective to her writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. Her work has been featured in various publications, covering a range of topics including cryptocurrency regulatory alerts.

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