QQQ vs VUG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, QQQ yields more: 0.47% (dividend yield) against 0.42% for VUG. VUG is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.18%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), QQQ returned 15.7% a year with distributions reinvested, and VUG 12.8%.
| Compared | QQQ | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 0.47% | 0.42% |
| Expense ratio | 0.18% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +10.3% | +2.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +26.0% | +24.6% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +13.0% | +10.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +20.3% | +17.6% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -46.1% | -45.4% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +1248% | +691% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Invesco | Vanguard |
| Assets | $463.8B | $380.0B |
| Started | 1999 | 2004 |
| Type | Large Growth | Large Growth |
Higher yield
QQQ
0.47%
Lower cost
VUG
0.03%
Better total return
QQQ
15.7%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VUG
-45.4%
Key facts: QQQ vs VUG
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, QQQ yields 0.47% (dividend yield) and VUG yields 0.42% (dividend yield).
- QQQ's expense ratio is 0.18% and VUG's is 0.03%: $18 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in QQQ grew to $156,894 (15.7% a year) and $10,000 in VUG to $96,222 (12.8% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -46.1% for QQQ and -45.4% for VUG.
- 8 of QQQ's top ten holdings are also in VUG's top ten, an overlap of at least 38% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "QQQ vs VUG: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/qqq-vs-vug
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
QQQ became
$156,894
15.7% a year
VUG became
$96,222
12.8% a year
Year by year
| Year | QQQ | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +20.8% | +19.4% |
| 2024 | +25.6% | +32.7% |
| 2023 | +54.9% | +46.8% |
| 2022 | −32.6% | −33.1% |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +27.4% |
| 2020 | +48.6% | +40.2% |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +37.0% |
| 2018 | −0.1% | −3.3% |
| 2017 | +32.7% | +27.8% |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +6.2% |
| 2015 | +9.4% | +3.3% |
| 2014 | +19.2% | +13.6% |
| 2013 | +36.6% | +32.6% |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +17.1% |
| 2011 | +3.4% | +1.8% |
| 2010 | +19.9% | +17.1% |
| 2009 | +54.7% | +36.3% |
| 2008 | −41.7% | −38.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
8 of the top ten overlap, at least 38% 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%
VUG
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp13.5%
- AAPL Apple Inc12.5%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp9.7%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A5.2%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc4.3%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc4.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A4.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C4.1%
- AMD Advanced Micro Devices Inc2.7%
- TSLA Tesla Inc2.7%
QQQ vs VUG: questions
Is QQQ or VUG better?
It depends on the job. QQQ pays more today (0.47% vs 0.42%), VUG costs less, and QQQ has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with VUG 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 VUG?
QQQ, at 0.47% against 0.42% for VUG 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 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 15.7% a year with distributions reinvested, against 12.8% for VUG. $10,000 became $156,894 vs $96,222.
Which is cheaper, QQQ or VUG?
VUG, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.18%.
Do QQQ and VUG hold the same things?
Partly. 8 of their top ten holdings match (AAPL, NVDA, MSFT, AMZN), at least 38% 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.