QQQ vs SCHG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, QQQ yields more: 0.47% (dividend yield) against 0.42% for SCHG. SCHG is cheaper to own at 0.04% a year vs 0.18%. Over the same 16 years (Dec 2009 to Oct 2026), QQQ returned 18.5% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHG 16.1%.
| Compared | QQQ | SCHG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.47% | 0.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +10.3% | +3.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +26.0% | +24.7% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +13.0% | +11.7% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +20.3% | +18.4% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2009 | -32.6% | -31.8% |
| Share price since Dec 2009 | +1409% | +956% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Invesco | Schwab |
| Assets | $463.8B | $61.7B |
| Started | 1999 | 2009 |
| Type | Large Growth | Large Growth |
Higher yield
QQQ
0.47%
Lower cost
SCHG
0.04%
Better total return
QQQ
18.5%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHG
-31.8%
Key facts: QQQ vs SCHG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, QQQ yields 0.47% (dividend yield) and SCHG yields 0.42% (dividend yield).
- QQQ's expense ratio is 0.18% and SCHG's is 0.04%: $18 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QQQ grew to $174,058 (18.5% a year) and $10,000 in SCHG to $123,453 (16.1% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -32.6% for QQQ and -31.8% for SCHG.
- 7 of QQQ's top ten holdings are also in SCHG's top ten, an overlap of at least 35% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QQQ vs SCHG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qqq-vs-schg
$10,000 in each, Dec 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QQQ became
$174,058
18.5% a year
SCHG became
$123,453
16.1% a year
Year by year
| Year | QQQ | SCHG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +20.8% | +17.4% |
| 2024 | +25.6% | +34.9% |
| 2023 | +54.9% | +50.1% |
| 2022 | −32.6% | −31.8% |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +28.1% |
| 2020 | +48.6% | +39.1% |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +35.9% |
| 2018 | −0.1% | −1.3% |
| 2017 | +32.7% | +27.4% |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +8.9% |
| 2015 | +9.4% | +3.4% |
| 2014 | +19.2% | +15.9% |
| 2013 | +36.6% | +34.4% |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +16.5% |
| 2011 | +3.4% | −0.6% |
| 2010 | +19.9% | +16.5% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
7 of the top ten overlap, at least 35% of each fund.
QQQ
- AAPL Apple Inc8.2%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp8.0%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp6.3%
- MU Micron Technology Inc4.5%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.2%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc3.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc3.4%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.0%
- WMT Walmart Inc2.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.7%
SCHG
- AAPL Apple Inc12.1%
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp11.9%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp9.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc5.7%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.1%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A3.9%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A3.8%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C3.2%
- LLY Eli Lilly and Co3.2%
- TSLA Tesla Inc3.1%
QQQ vs SCHG: questions
Is QQQ or SCHG better?
It depends on the job. QQQ pays more today (0.47% vs 0.42%), SCHG costs less, and QQQ has the better total return over Dec 2009 to Oct 2026, with SCHG holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or SCHG?
QQQ, at 0.47% against 0.42% for SCHG as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $47 vs $42 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
QQQ. From Dec 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 18.5% a year with distributions reinvested, against 16.1% for SCHG. $10,000 became $174,058 vs $123,453.
Which is cheaper, QQQ or SCHG?
SCHG, with a 0.04% expense ratio against 0.18%.
Do QQQ and SCHG hold the same things?
Partly. 7 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 35% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. QQQ leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.