Dividend comparison
QQQ vs IVV: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 and iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. IVV is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.18% for QQQ. On $10,000 that is $15 a year less in fees.
- Income. IVV pays more income, yielding 1.09% over the last twelve months versus 0.53% for QQQ. That is about $56 more a year on $10,000. QQQ pays annual, IVV pays quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, QQQ returned 97.0% versus 80.1% for IVV, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $19,698 in QQQ and $18,014 in IVV.
- Risk. QQQ has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -35.1%, against -24.5% for IVV.
- Diversification. IVV holds 504 positions and QQQ holds 102. The ten largest positions make up 47.2% of QQQ and 38.6% of IVV.
- Overlap. At least 50% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 36 shared holdings.
- Dividend growth. QQQ grew its yearly payout 13.3% a year over the last 4 years, versus 8.8% for IVV.
Bottom line: QQQ fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. IVV fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification.
| Metric | QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | IVV iShares Core S&P 500 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 0.53% | 1.09% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.79 | $8.40 |
| Payout frequency | Annual | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.7514 on Oct 8, 2026 | $2.2026 on Sep 18, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Dec 21, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 |
| Next payment | $0.7941 on Dec 28, 2026 | — |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 13.3% over 4 yrs | 8.8% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $717.63 | $772.35 |
| Dividend growth streak | — | 4 years |
| Beta | 1.23 | 1.00 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -35.1% | -24.5% |
| Market cap | $479.05B | $880.18B |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.03% |
| Assets under management | $487.46B | $883.68B |
| Number of holdings | 102 | 504 |
| Top 10 concentration | 47.2% | 38.6% |
QQQ
$4.40/mo
$53 /yr at 0.53% yield
IVV
$9.06/mo
$109 /yr at 1.09% yield
| Year | QQQ | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.7949 | $8.0399 |
| 2024 | $3.0623 | $7.6453 |
| 2023 | $2.3200 | $6.8988 |
| 2022 | $2.1351 | $6.3933 |
| 2021 | $1.6968 | $5.7272 |
Current income is low and outside your control, so these need pairing with something else if the portfolio has to produce cash today.
What QQQ vs IVV actually do
The index is modified market-cap weighted and excludes financials by rule, which is why it lands so heavily in technology, communication services and consumer discretionary names. In December 2025 the fund converted from a unit investment trust to a conventional open-end fund and cut its fee, so it can now reinvest income and lend securities like its peers. It remains the most liquid Nasdaq-100 vehicle by a wide margin and the reference asset for a large share of the options-income products in this category.
Suits investors who want concentrated large-cap growth exposure and anyone who needs deep options liquidity. Dividends are incidental, so it does not answer an income mandate on its own.
Growth-tilted core, concentrated
It holds the full index at market-cap weights and, like VOO, is structured as an open-end fund, so it can reinvest income internally and lend out securities. Differences against the other S&P 500 trackers come down to fee, share price, spread and where the fund trades commission-free, not to what is inside it. Tracking difference between the cheap S&P 500 funds is small enough that platform and tax considerations usually decide the choice.
Suits an investor who wants core S&P 500 exposure and already holds other iShares funds or trades on a platform where iShares is cheapest. There is no income case for it beyond the index's own dividends.
Core holding
| Period | QQQ | IVV |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -0.43% | 0.97% |
| 3 months | 3.10% | 3.43% |
| Year to date | 17.09% | 12.76% |
| 1 year | 17.78% | 14.49% |
| 3 years | 105.61% | 87.50% |
| 5 years | 96.98% | 80.14% |
- QQQ
- IVV
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- QQQ
- IVV
| Largest shared holdings | QQQ weight | IVV weight |
|---|---|---|
| NVDANVIDIA Corp | 8.17% | 7.91% |
| AAPLApple Inc | 7.82% | 7.54% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp | 6.19% | 5.97% |
| AMZNAmazon.com Inc | 4.42% | 3.88% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc | 3.15% | 3.04% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 2.94% | 2.44% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.49% | 2.40% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 3.28% | 2.34% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 3.02% | 1.56% |
| MUMicron Technology Inc | 4.41% | 1.54% |
QQQ102 holdings total
Quick verdict
QQQ fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns and faster dividend growth. IVV fits better if you care most about lower fees, more income today, smaller drawdowns and broader diversification. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
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For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.