DV
Dividend Vision

ETF Comparison

QQQ vs SOXX: Broad Growth Exposure or a Semiconductor Bet?

A head-to-head comparison of the Invesco QQQ Trust and iShares Semiconductor ETF covering index scope, sector concentration, volatility, and cost — exposure first, yield second.

Data updated August 19, 2026

Best for

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

Jump to the side-by-side numbers

Visual comparison

Key metrics

Projected income on $10K

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

Total returns

QQQ has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.68% total return against 109.63%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SOXX has compounded at 31.97% a year, against 20.68% for QQQ. QQQ has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 20.5% against 39.4% for SOXX. 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 Jul 2001Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
QQQ17.07%24.68%26.08%15.29%20.68%12.60%20.5%0.921.32-22.8%
SOXX65.84%109.63%47.70%29.87%31.97%13.91%39.4%0.881.25-41.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 19, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows are annualized. “Since Jul 2001” measures every fund from July 13, 2001 — 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.

Side-by-side snapshot

Side-by-side snapshot. Each row is one metric; each column is one fund.
MetricQQQSOXX
Full nameInvesco QQQ TrustiShares Semiconductor ETF
IssuerInvescoiShares
Last Close$717.51 as of August 19, 2026$531.39 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield0.45%0.21%
Distribution Safety Score™ 9780
Expense ratio0.18%0.33%
AUM$496B$43.5B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexNasdaq-100 IndexICE Semiconductor Index
ObjectiveTrack the Nasdaq-100 Index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks.Tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index of US-listed semiconductor companies.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date03/10/199907/10/2001
Beta1.262.32
Last dividend$0.8135$0.2830
Ex-dividend date06/22/202606/15/2026

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

Model this comparison:
Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Income calculator

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

Invesco
ETFs247
Total AUM$1008B

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
iShares
ETFs473
Total AUM$4710B

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

iShares is one of the largest ETF providers globally, known for offering a broad, diversified lineup of exchange-traded funds across multiple asset classes and investment strategies. The company operates 215 funds spanning 15 distinct families, including popular offerings in dividend income, covered call strategies, bonds, equities, ESG-focused investments, and factor-based approaches, with widely-held tickers like AGG (bond), ACWI (global equity), and AOA (allocation). iShares is characterized by its comprehensive fund ecosystem that serves both core portfolio holdings and specialized investment strategies, making it a prominent player for investors seeking both traditional and alternative income-generating ETF solutions.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SOXX.

See all iShares ETFs

Want to go deeper?

Add these ETFs to a sample portfolio and forecast your dividend income over 5+ years — free to start, no credit card.

Compare in my portfolio Forecast income Save to watchlist

Quick verdict

QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) and SOXX (iShares Semiconductor ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

QQQ offers the higher yield at 0.45% vs 0.21% for SOXX. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

QQQ is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.18% compared to 0.33%.

They track different benchmarks: QQQ is linked to Nasdaq-100 Index while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQ is the larger fund by assets ($496B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, QQQ would generate roughly $3.75/month, while SOXX would produce $1.75/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

QQQ yield0.45%
SOXX yield0.21%
Monthly diff on $10K$2.00

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, QQQ would cost approximately $180 in fees vs $330 for SOXX (simplified, not compounded). The $150.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

QQQ ER0.18%
SOXX ER0.33%

Strategy & risk

QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index with a growth approach, while SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. Beta is 1.26 for QQQ and 2.32 for SOXX, making QQQ the less volatile of the two by this measure.

QQQ beta1.26
SOXX beta2.32

Fund details

QQQ is managed by Invesco (launched 03/10/1999) with $496B in assets. SOXX is managed by iShares (launched 07/10/2001) with $43.5B in assets.

QQQ AUM$496B
SOXX AUM$43.5B
Ready to act?
Open in Comparator Model in portfolio See pricing

Enjoyed this page?

Do us a favor — if you found this comparison useful, please share it with a friend researching dividend ETFs.

Frequently asked questions

How different are QQQ and SOXX really?

More different than the tech label suggests. QQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Index — 100 large Nasdaq-listed companies spanning software, hardware, consumer, and communications. SOXX tracks ICE Semiconductor Index: one industry, semiconductors, concentrated in a few dozen names whose revenues rise and fall with the chip cycle. They overlap in the largest chipmakers, but SOXX is a sector bet layered on top of the broad growth exposure QQQ already provides — not a substitute for it. Neither is an income fund (0.45% and 0.21% respectively), so the decision is exposure and cost: 0.18% against 0.33%, with betas of 1.26 and 2.32, as of August 2026.

What is the current distribution yield for QQQ and SOXX?

QQQ currently distributes 0.45% and SOXX 0.21%, 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 QQQ or SOXX 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.

Can I hold both QQQ and SOXX?

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 QQQ or SOXX 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, SOXX scores 80, so QQQ's payout currently looks the more resilient of the two. QQQ has also shown lower price volatility (beta 1.26 vs 2.32 for SOXX). No score makes an investment risk-free — treat this as a screening signal, not a guarantee.

Which has lower fees, QQQ or SOXX?

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SOXX charges 0.33%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

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

At current rates, $10,000 in QQQ would generate roughly $3.75 per month ($45.00 annually). The same in SOXX would produce about $1.75 per month ($21.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, QQQ or SOXX?

QQQ has lagged SOXX over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.68% total return against 109.63%. The lead holds up over 10 years too: SOXX has compounded at 31.97% a year, against 20.68% for QQQ. QQQ has been the steadier holding, though — annualized volatility of 20.5% against 39.4% for SOXX. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

QQQ vs SOXX — at a glance

Generated August 15, 2026.

Figures quoted in this analysis are from its generation date and may lag the live snapshot table above, which always shows the latest data.

Overview

QQQ is a mega-cap ETF tracking the Nasdaq-100, capturing 100 of the largest non-financial Nasdaq stocks across technology, consumer, and other sectors. SOXX is a narrower sector ETF tracking US-listed semiconductor companies. The fundamental difference is breadth: QQQ holds a diversified index of large-cap growth names, while SOXX concentrates on a single industry.

How they differ

QQQ's Nasdaq-100 exposure spans technology, consumer discretionary, healthcare, and other sectors; SOXX isolates semiconductor manufacturing and design. That structural difference drives the second major distinction: volatility. SOXX has a beta of 2.32 versus QQQ's 1.26, meaning SOXX amplifies market moves roughly twice as sharply. The yield gap is modest—QQQ distributes 0.45% and SOXX 0.21%—but QQQ's lower expense ratio of 0.18% versus SOXX's 0.35% means the cost of ownership differs meaningfully over time. QQQ's $479B in assets dwarfs SOXX's $47.6B, reflecting their different investor bases and liquidity profiles.

Who each is best for

QQQ: Fits investors seeking broad exposure to large-cap growth stocks with technology as a major but not exclusive holding, moderate volatility tolerance, and preference for liquidity and low cost in a passive holding.

SOXX: Fits investors comfortable with concentrated sector risk who believe semiconductor fundamentals will outpace the broader market or who want to overweight chip-related exposure within a diversified portfolio.

Key risks to know

  • Concentration in semiconductors (SOXX): Semiconductor cycles are pronounced. Industry downturns hit revenue and earnings sharply, and regulatory shifts (export controls, manufacturing subsidies) affect the entire sector at once. QQQ's diversified index avoids this single-industry tail risk.
  • Higher volatility amplification (SOXX): A beta of 2.32 means SOXX losses accelerate during equity selloffs. A 20% market decline could translate to a 40%+ loss in SOXX, versus roughly 25% in QQQ. This magnification compounds during extended downturns.
  • Overlap with QQQ's technology weighting: Semiconductor companies are heavily weighted in the Nasdaq-100 already. Holding both concentrates exposure to chip-industry fundamentals rather than diversifying across them, creating unintended portfolio overlap.
  • Smaller asset base and tracking variance (SOXX): With $47.6B versus QQQ's $479B, SOXX may experience larger tracking error and tighter bid-ask spreads during periods of high volume or volatility.

Bottom line

QQQ offers diversified large-cap growth exposure at minimal cost and volatility; SOXX adds concentrated sector leverage if you have a specific semiconductor thesis. If you want broad tech-heavy equity beta with stability, QQQ's breadth and lower cost stand out. If you're betting on semiconductor outperformance and can absorb double-strength drawdowns, SOXX's sector focus aligns with that conviction—but verify your portfolio doesn't already load up on chip stocks through QQQ or other holdings. 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.

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

Still deciding? Compare them against your own portfolio

See how each ETF fits alongside your real holdings — forecast future income, analyze overlap, and gauge risk. Start a free 7-day Dividend Vision trial and make the call with your full portfolio in view.

Start Free Open in Comparator Browse Screener