The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) and the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. QQQ is a Invesco Large Growth fund and IJH is a iShares Mid-Cap Blend fund. So, what’s the difference between QQQ and IJH? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of QQQ is 0.15 percentage points higher than IJH’s (0.2% vs. 0.05%). QQQ also has a higher exposure to the technology sector and a lower standard deviation. Overall, QQQ has provided higher returns than IJH over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare QQQ vs. IJH. We’ll look at holdings and risk metrics, as well as at their industry exposure and fund composition. Moreover, I’ll also discuss QQQ’s and IJH’s performance, annual returns, and portfolio growth and examine how these affect their overall returns.
Summary
| QQQ | IJH | |
| Name | Invesco QQQ Trust | iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF |
| Category | Large Growth | Mid-Cap Blend |
| Issuer | Invesco | iShares |
| AUM | 174.51B | 63.4B |
| Avg. Return | 21.27% | 13.50% |
| Div. Yield | 0.49% | 1.07% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.2% | 0.05% |
The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) is a Large Growth fund that is issued by Invesco. It currently has 174.51B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 21.27% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 0.49% with an expense ratio of 0.2%.
The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) is a Mid-Cap Blend fund that is issued by iShares. It currently has 63.4B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 13.50% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.07% with an expense ratio of 0.05%.
QQQ’s dividend yield is 0.58% lower than that of IJH (0.49% vs. 1.07%). Also, QQQ yielded on average 7.77% more per year over the past decade (21.27% vs. 13.50%). The expense ratio of QQQ is 0.15 percentage points higher than IJH’s (0.2% vs. 0.05%).
Fund Composition
Industry Exposure
| QQQ | IJH | |
| Technology | 45.46% | 14.81% |
| Industrials | 2.61% | 18.09% |
| Energy | 0.0% | 2.5% |
| Communication Services | 19.55% | 1.57% |
| Utilities | 0.89% | 2.9% |
| Healthcare | 7.04% | 10.89% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.68% | 4.02% |
| Real Estate | 0.0% | 10.04% |
| Financial Services | 2.51% | 14.85% |
| Consumer Cyclical | 17.27% | 14.91% |
| Basic Materials | 0.0% | 5.42% |
The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) has the most exposure to the Technology sector at 45.46%. This is followed by Communication Services and Consumer Cyclical at 19.55% and 17.27% respectively. Real Estate (0.0%), Energy (0.0%), and Utilities (0.89%) only make up 0.89% of the fund’s total assets.
QQQ’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Financial Services, Industrials, Consumer Defensive, Healthcare, and Consumer Cyclical stocks at 2.51%, 2.61%, 4.68%, 7.04%, and 17.27%.
The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) has the most exposure to the Industrials sector at 18.09%. This is followed by Consumer Cyclical and Financial Services at 14.91% and 14.85% respectively. Energy (2.5%), Utilities (2.9%), and Consumer Defensive (4.02%) only make up 9.42% of the fund’s total assets.
IJH’s mid-section with moderate exposure is comprised of Basic Materials, Real Estate, Healthcare, Technology, and Financial Services stocks at 5.42%, 10.04%, 10.89%, 14.81%, and 14.85%.
QQQ is 30.65% more exposed to the Technology sector than IJH (45.46% vs 14.81%). QQQ’s exposure to Communication Services and Consumer Cyclical stocks is 17.98% higher and 2.36% higher respectively (19.55% vs. 1.57% and 17.27% vs. 14.91%). In total, Real Estate, Energy, and Utilities also make up 14.55% less of the fund’s holdings compared to IJH (0.89% vs. 15.44%).
Holdings
| QQQ Holdings | Weight |
| Apple Inc | 11.0% |
| Microsoft Corp | 9.82% |
| Amazon.com Inc | 8.35% |
| Facebook Inc Class A | 4.01% |
| Facebook Inc A | 4.01% |
| Alphabet Inc Class C | 3.9% |
| Tesla Inc | 3.9% |
| NVIDIA Corp | 3.65% |
| Alphabet Inc Class A | 3.53% |
| Alphabet Inc A | 3.53% |
QQQ’s Top Holdings are Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp, Amazon.com Inc, Facebook Inc Class A, and Facebook Inc A at 11.0%, 9.82%, 8.35%, 4.01%, and 4.01%.
Alphabet Inc Class C (3.9%), Tesla Inc (3.9%), and NVIDIA Corp (3.65%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. Alphabet Inc Class A and Alphabet Inc A are also represented in the QQQ’s holdings at 3.53% and 3.53%.
| IJH Holdings | Weight |
| Bio-Techne Corp | 0.8% |
| Molina Healthcare Inc | 0.68% |
| Cognex Corp | 0.68% |
| Fair Isaac Corp | 0.64% |
| Camden Property Trust | 0.62% |
| XPO Logistics Inc | 0.6% |
| Masimo Corp | 0.59% |
| SolarEdge Technologies Inc | 0.57% |
| FactSet Research Systems Inc | 0.57% |
| Graco Inc | 0.56% |
IJH’s Top Holdings are Bio-Techne Corp, Molina Healthcare Inc, Cognex Corp, Fair Isaac Corp, and Camden Property Trust at 0.8%, 0.68%, 0.68%, 0.64%, and 0.62%.
XPO Logistics Inc (0.6%), Masimo Corp (0.59%), and SolarEdge Technologies Inc (0.57%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. FactSet Research Systems Inc and Graco Inc are also represented in the IJH’s holdings at 0.57% and 0.56%.
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | QQQ | IJH |
| 2020 | 48.6% | 13.61% |
| 2019 | 39.12% | 26.14% |
| 2018 | -0.14% | -11.14% |
| 2017 | 32.7% | 16.19% |
| 2016 | 7.01% | 20.63% |
| 2015 | 9.54% | -2.23% |
| 2014 | 19.12% | 9.64% |
| 2013 | 36.6% | 33.4% |
| 2012 | 18.09% | 17.76% |
| 2011 | 3.44% | -1.89% |
| 2010 | 19.89% | 26.38% |
QQQ had its best year in 2020 with an annual return of 48.6%. QQQ’s worst year over the past decade yielded -0.14% and occurred in 2018. In most years the Invesco QQQ Trust provided moderate returns such as in 2012, 2014, and 2010 where annual returns amounted to 18.09%, 19.12%, and 19.89% respectively.
The year 2013 was the strongest year for IJH, returning 33.4% on an annual basis. The poorest year for IJH in the last ten years was 2018, with a yield of -11.14%. Most years the iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF has given investors modest returns, such as in 2020, 2017, and 2012, when gains were 13.61%, 16.19%, and 17.76% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| QQQ | $10,000 | $76,522 | 21.27% |
| IJH | $10,000 | $37,266 | 13.50% |
A $10,000 investment in QQQ would have resulted in a final balance of $76,522. This is a profit of $66,522 over 11 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.27%.
With a $10,000 investment in IJH, the end total would have been $37,266. This equates to a $27,266 profit over 11 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.50%.
QQQ’s CAGR is 7.77 percentage points higher than that of IJH and as a result, would have yielded $39,256 more on a $10,000 investment. Thus, QQQ outperformed IJH by 7.77% annually.
Current recommendations:
Over the past years, I have discovered several tools and products that have helped me tremendously on my path to financial freedom:
P.S.: The links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you sign up for one of the services. Thank you for your support!
1)Personal Capital is simply the best tool out there to track your net worth and plan for financial freedom. Just their retirement planner alone has become an invaluable tool to keep myself on track financially. Try it out, it's free!
2) Take a look at M1 Finance, my favorite broker. I love how easy it is to invest and maintain my portfolio with them. I can set up automatic transfers, rebalance my portfolio with one click and even borrow up to 35% of my assets at super low interest rates!
3) Fundrise is by far the best way I've found to invest in Real Estate. You can diversify your portfolio by investing in their eREITs or even allocate capital to individual properties (without the hassle of managing tenants!).
4) Groundfloor is another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector by investing in short-term, high-yield real estate debt. Current returns are >10% and you can get started with just $10.
5) If you are interested in startup investing, check out Mainvest. I've started allocating a small amount of assets to invest in and support small businesses. Return targets are between 10-25% and you can start with just $100!
To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out the Recommended Tools section.
I believe that money is just a means to an end: to be free to spend your time as you wish, to maximize your positive impact on the world.