Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is a ETF from Invesco (US) and State Street SPDR S&P 1500 Value Tilt ETF (VLU) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year QQQ returned +28.94% while VLU returned +31.34%. Year to date, QQQ is up 18.34% versus a gain of 18.20% for VLU.

Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.28% per year against +19.63% for VLU; over five years the annualized figures are +15.22% and +13.39% respectively. Across the full 14-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.12% annualized vs +11.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 15.8% for VLU. 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 -37.9% for VLU. 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 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.

QQQ charges 0.18% per year while VLU charges 0.12%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $12 annually, a gap of $6 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.41% against 1.63% for VLU.