Generated July 2026 from current fund data.
Overview
QNDX and QQQM are both ETFs tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, giving investors exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial stocks on the Nasdaq exchange—heavily weighted toward technology and growth sectors. The key distinction is scale: QQQM is a mature, $96.8B fund launched in 2020, while QNDX is a newly launched State Street alternative with just $24.9M in AUM. Both charge minimal fees, but they differ slightly in expense ratio and distribution yield.
How they differ
QNDX costs 0.10% annually while QQQM charges 0.15%—a modest 5-basis-point gap that favors QNDX, though both are competitive. The real divergence is fund maturity and liquidity: QQQM holds $96.8B in assets and trades with institutional-scale volume, while QNDX arrived in June 2026 with minimal assets and is still building a track record. QQQM distributes 0.47% annually and carries a reported beta of 1.18, indicating it moves roughly in line with the broad market; QNDX's beta is not yet reported, likely because it's too new to have sufficient price history. Neither fund offers a meaningful yield—both are built for price appreciation, not income.
Who each is best for
QNDX: Fits investors who prioritize the absolute lowest expense ratio and are comfortable with limited liquidity and trading volume in exchange for a 5-basis-point fee savings on a core Nasdaq-100 position.
QQQM: Designed for investors building a core large-cap growth allocation and valuing the confidence that comes with an established fund, deep liquidity, measurable price history, and a proven track record of consistent index tracking.
Key risks to know
- Concentration in technology and growth: Both ETFs inherit the Nasdaq-100's heavy tilt toward mega-cap technology stocks and secular growth winners, creating correlated downside during tech sector downturns or rising-rate environments.
- Liquidity risk for QNDX: At $24.9M AUM, QNDX trades with minimal daily volume, creating wider bid-ask spreads than QQQM and potential slippage on larger orders—a practical cost that can exceed the 5-basis-point fee savings.
- Beta amplification in QQQM: The reported 1.18 beta suggests QQQM amplifies broad market moves by roughly 18%, translating to steeper declines during market pullbacks and faster recoveries during rallies—a structural feature of large-cap growth index exposure.
- Index concentration: The Nasdaq-100 is heavily weighted toward its largest components; both ETFs reflect that concentration, so performance hinges on whether mega-cap tech continues to drive market returns.
Bottom line
If you're drawn to the lowest possible expense ratio and accept illiquidity as a tradeoff, QNDX offers a marginal cost edge; if you value institutional-grade liquidity, established AUM, and minimal spreads, QQQM's track record and scale justify the 5-basis-point fee premium. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.