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ETF Comparison

MGK vs QQQ: Which Is the Better Pick in 2026?

A head-to-head comparison of Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust covering yield, cost, risk, and income potential.

Data updated August 14, 2026

Best for

  • MGKInvestors who want broad equity exposure.
  • QQQInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricMGKQQQ
Full nameVanguard Mega Cap Growth ETFInvesco QQQ Trust
IssuerVanguardInvesco
Last Close$90.72 as of August 14, 2026$731.07 as of August 14, 2026
Distribution yield0.37%0.45%
Distribution Safety Score™ 9397
Expense ratio0.07%0.18%
AUM$33.7B$479B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexCRSP US Mega Cap Growth IndexNasdaq-100 Index
ObjectiveProvide exposure to the fund's underlying index or strategy per issuer materials.Track the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date12/17/200703/10/1999
Beta1.261.26
Last dividend$0.0840$0.8135
Ex-dividend date06/26/202606/22/2026

Bottom lineChoose MGK if you want broad equity exposure. Choose QQQ if you want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.

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Income calculator

See how much monthly income a hypothetical investment would generate in each ETF at current yields.

Vanguard
ETFs116
Total AUM$4658B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Vanguard is one of the largest and most established ETF issuers, known for low-cost, broadly diversified fund offerings built on passive indexing principles. Their lineup spans multiple asset classes and strategies, including core equity and bond index funds, dividend-focused portfolios, ESG-screened options, factor-based strategies, sector exposure, target-date retirement funds, and international investments across developed and emerging markets. The platform is characterized by its emphasis on accessibility and cost efficiency across a comprehensive range of fund families, serving both individual investors seeking broad market exposure and those pursuing specific income, sustainability, or thematic objectives.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on MGK.

See all Vanguard ETFs
Invesco
ETFs247
Total AUM$983B

ETFs and AUM reflect what Dividend Vision tracks — the issuer's full lineup may be larger.

Invesco is a major ETF provider known for offering a comprehensive lineup spanning multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company specializes in income-focused products including dividend, covered call, and bond strategies, while also maintaining broad exposure across equity, factor-based, thematic, and ESG investing themes. Invesco's portfolio ranges from index-tracking funds to alternatives and specialized offerings like digital assets and BulletShares, making it one of the more expansive ETF families available to investors.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on QQQ.

See all Invesco ETFs

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Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

Projections assume the current yield and share price remain constant. Actual results will vary.

Total returns

MGK has lagged QQQ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.20% total return against 26.58%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: QQQ has compounded at 20.90% a year, against 18.67% for MGK. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested.

Total return and risk statistics by fund. Each row is one fund; each column is one period or statistic.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5Y10YSince Dec 2007Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
MGK10.61%17.20%24.94%13.92%18.67%13.88%20.3%0.881.27-23.4%
QQQ19.52%26.58%26.16%15.35%20.90%16.18%20.5%0.921.33-22.8%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 14, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Dec 2007” measures every fund from December 21, 2007 — the youngest fund's first trading day — so all funds share one comparison window. Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily total returns over the trailing 3 years. Sharpe and Sortino divide the annualized return in excess of the risk-free rate by, respectively, that volatility and the downside deviation (both over the trailing 3 years) — higher is better. Max drawdown is the largest peak-to-trough total-return decline over the same window — shallower is better.

Quick verdict

MGK (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

QQQ offers the higher yield at 0.45% vs 0.37% for MGK. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

MGK is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.07% compared to 0.18%.

They track different benchmarks: MGK is linked to CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index while QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQ is the larger fund by assets ($479B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, MGK would generate roughly $3.08/month, while QQQ would produce $3.75/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

MGK yield0.37%
QQQ yield0.45%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.67

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, MGK would cost approximately $70 in fees vs $180 for QQQ (simplified, not compounded). The $110.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

MGK ER0.07%
QQQ ER0.18%

Strategy & risk

MGK tracks CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index with an index approach, while QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach.

MGK beta1.26
QQQ beta1.26

Fund details

MGK is managed by Vanguard (launched 12/17/2007) with $33.7B in assets. QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $479B in assets.

MGK AUM$33.7B
QQQ AUM$479B
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Frequently asked questions

What is the current distribution yield for MGK and QQQ?

MGK currently distributes 0.37% and QQQ 0.45%, based on fund data updated August 2026. Distribution yield moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is MGK or QQQ better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. QQQ currently offers the higher distribution yield, which means more income per dollar invested. However, a lower-yield fund may offer better total return or lower volatility. Consider your time horizon and risk tolerance.

What is the difference between MGK and QQQ?

MGK (Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF) tracks CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index with an index approach, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach. They are issued by Vanguard and Invesco respectively.

Can I hold both MGK and QQQ?

Yes — nothing prevents holding both. Whether the combination actually diversifies depends on how much the underlying exposures overlap, which isn't fully measurable from the data on this page; review each security's holdings, sector, and strategy before treating them as complementary.

Is MGK or QQQ safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — QQQ scores 97, MGK scores 93, so QQQ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, MGK or QQQ?

MGK has an expense ratio of 0.07% while QQQ charges 0.18%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in MGK vs QQQ generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in MGK would generate roughly $3.08 per month ($37.00 annually). The same in QQQ would produce about $3.75 per month ($45.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, MGK or QQQ?

MGK has lagged QQQ over the trailing twelve months, posting a 17.20% total return against 26.58%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: QQQ has compounded at 20.90% a year, against 18.67% for MGK. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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MGK vs QQQ — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Overview

MGK and QQQ are both large-cap growth ETFs that track different indexes of mega-cap US equities, but they differ substantially in scope and composition. MGK tracks the CRSP US Mega Cap Growth Index, focusing on the largest growth-oriented companies across all sectors. QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, which is limited to the 100 largest non-financial stocks listed on Nasdaq, creating a technology-heavy tilt. The key distinction: QQQ's Nasdaq exclusivity makes it narrower and more concentrated in technology and internet names, while MGK offers broader diversification across mega-cap growth across the entire market.

How they differ

QQQ is substantially larger, with $479B in AUM versus MGK's $33.7B, making it far more liquid and lower in spreads for most investors. The biggest structural difference is scope: MGK draws from the entire US mega-cap growth universe, while QQQ is limited to Nasdaq's 100 largest non-financial companies. This means QQQ is inherently more concentrated in technology and internet-related businesses. Both charge minimal fees, but QQQ's expense ratio of 0.18% is 2.5 times MGK's 0.07%, though both remain cheap by industry standards. Distributions are similar in frequency (quarterly) and magnitude—QQQ yields 0.45% and MGK yields 0.37%—so income is not a differentiator; both are total-return vehicles.

Who each is best for

  • MGK: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to US mega-cap growth across all sectors—technology, healthcare, industrials, and consumer—without the tech concentration built into Nasdaq-only trackers.
  • QQQ: Fits investors who want concentrated exposure to the largest and most liquid Nasdaq-listed companies, particularly those with an existing conviction that technology and internet-focused mega-cap businesses will outperform.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration in QQQ: The Nasdaq-100's inherent limitation to non-financial stocks and its technology dominance means QQQ carries meaningful concentration risk relative to the broader market. MGK's multi-sector composition reduces this single-sector exposure.
  • Narrow universe in QQQ: Restricting to exactly 100 Nasdaq stocks means QQQ's index excludes large growth companies listed on other exchanges. MGK's broader CRSP universe means it can capture mega-cap growth regardless of listing venue.
  • Higher beta in both: Both ETFs carry a beta of 1.26, meaning they amplify broad market moves by 26% relative to the overall market. During downturns, both will decline faster than the S&P 500.
  • Overlap in holdings: The largest Nasdaq companies likely comprise a significant portion of MGK's holdings as well. Investors holding both should verify the extent of overlap to understand their actual exposure concentration.

Bottom line

If you want mega-cap growth exposure across multiple sectors without Nasdaq's technology tilt, MGK's lower expense ratio and broader index composition align with that strategy. If you're comfortable with—or actively seeking—Nasdaq's technology concentration and prefer the deepest available liquidity, QQQ's $479B in AUM and 25-year track record offer unmatched accessibility. Both charge minimal fees and carry the same amplified market volatility; the choice hinges on whether you prefer index breadth or Nasdaq focus. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.

Learn the method

The metrics behind this comparison, explained in the Academy.

Dividend growth vs. high yield Yield on cost, explained How expense ratios eat returns

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