Generated August 9, 2026 from current fund data.
Overview
QNDX and QQQM are both ETFs tracking the Nasdaq-100 Index, a large-cap growth index dominated by technology stocks. The key distinction is scale: QQQM is a mature, $97.1B fund from Invesco launched in 2020, while QNDX is a newer State Street entry with $24.9M in assets. Both charge minimal fees—0.10% (QNDX) and 0.15% (QQQM)—to deliver core exposure to the same 100 large-cap, non-financial Nasdaq stocks.
How they differ
The biggest difference is fund maturity and AUM. QQQM has been operating for over four years and holds nearly $100 billion in assets, while QNDX launched recently with less than $25 million. This AUM gap matters for trading liquidity and the likelihood the fund persists long-term.
Second, QQQM reports a distribution rate of 0.47%, while QNDX does not disclose one—typical for a brand-new fund that may not yet have established a dividend track record. Both distribute quarterly and track the identical index, so yield differences would narrow over time as QNDX matures.
Third, QQQM quotes a beta of 1.18 to the broader market, reflecting its exposure to growth volatility, while QNDX does not report beta. The expense ratio difference is tiny: 0.10% versus 0.15%, a 0.05% annual advantage for QNDX that amounts to $5 per $10,000 invested per year.
Who each is best for
QNDX: Fits investors building a core large-cap growth position who are willing to tolerate potential liquidity constraints and lack of a long operating history in exchange for the lowest possible expense ratio and access through State Street's ecosystem.
QQQM: Fits investors seeking straightforward, highly liquid Nasdaq-100 exposure with an established distribution history and the operational track record of a mature $97 billion fund, accepting a marginally higher expense ratio for stability and depth.
Key risks to know
- Small fund risk (QNDX): Sub-$25M AUM raises questions about viability. A lack of investor inflows could trigger a fund closure or merger, forcing shareholders into a taxable liquidation event.
- Concentration in mega-cap technology: Both funds are heavily weighted to the "Magnificent Seven" and similar mega-cap tech names; a sustained sector drawdown will hit both proportionally, and their overlapping holdings mean you aren't diversifying by choosing between them.
- Growth volatility: QQQM's reported beta of 1.18 indicates these funds amplify broader market downturns. The Nasdaq-100 has historically outpaced the S&P 500 in rallies but also fallen harder in corrections.
Bottom line
If you value rock-bottom fees and State Street custody, QNDX's 0.10% expense ratio edges ahead—but only if you're comfortable with minimal fund size and no track record. If you want a liquid, established position with years of dividend history and institutional-scale assets, QQQM's 0.15% ratio is a negligible cost for the added stability. Either way, you're buying the same index and the same sector concentration, so the decision hinges on operational factors rather than fundamental exposure differences. 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.