QQQ vs THRO
QQQ vs THRO
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs iShares US Thematic Rotation Active ETF
Quick Verdict
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ delivered stronger 1-year returns. THRO offers more diversification with 241 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | QQQ | THRO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.57% | |
| AUM | $455.8B | $6.4B | |
| Dividend Yield | 0.41% | 0.25% | |
| Holdings | 108 | 245 | |
| YTD Return | +18.20% | +14.67% | |
| 1Y Return | +27.63% | +22.54% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.54% | +22.97% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.12% | - | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 30.6% | 17.8% | |
| Max Drawdown | -83.0% | -26.5% | |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | |
| Category | Equity | Equity | |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 14, 2021 |
QQQ vs THRO Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is a ETF from Invesco (US) and iShares US Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) is a ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US). Over the past year QQQ returned +27.63% while THRO returned +22.54%. Year to date, QQQ is up 18.20% versus a gain of 14.67% for THRO.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.54% per year against +22.97% for THRO. Across the full 5-year window we track, THRO has the edge at +13.80% annualized vs +13.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 17.8% for THRO. 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 -83.0% for QQQ and -26.5% for THRO. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.91. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while THRO charges 0.57%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $57 annually, a gap of $39 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.41% against 0.25% for THRO.
Holdings Overlap
QQQ and THRO share 42 holdings out of 302 unique holdings combined, representing a 50.3% weight overlap.
High overlap means holding both may not provide much additional diversification.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in QQQ | Weight in THRO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPL | 7.46% | 8.34% | 0.88% |
| NVDA | 7.88% | 6.97% | 0.91% |
| MSFT | 4.65% | 6.40% | 1.75% |
| AMZN | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| GOOG | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| MU | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| AVGO | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| META | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| TSLA | Pro | Pro | Pro |
| WMT | Pro | Pro | Pro |
See all 10 holdings QQQ shares with THRO Exact weights in each fund and the difference, for every overlapping position. Get FundXLS Pro: $29/moFirst 500 subscribers, then $49/mo. Cancel anytime. | |||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QQQ or THRO?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while THRO charges 0.57%. QQQ is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $39 per year of difference.
Which performed better, QQQ or THRO?
Over the past year QQQ returned +27.63% vs +22.54% for THRO, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (5 years), QQQ annualized +13.11% vs +13.80% for THRO. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, QQQ or THRO?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 17.8% for THRO. Worst drawdown: QQQ -83.0% vs THRO -26.5%.
Should I hold both QQQ and THRO?
QQQ and THRO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.91, so they move almost identically. Holding both adds little diversification - most investors pick one, usually on fees or the specific index tracked.
What is the holdings overlap between QQQ and THRO?
QQQ and THRO share 42 common holdings with a 50.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 302 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or THRO?
QQQ yields 0.41% while THRO yields 0.25%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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