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ETF Comparison

QQQM vs SCHG: An Exchange Rule, or a Growth Screen?

A head-to-head of Invesco's Nasdaq 100 ETF and Schwab's U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF covering how each universe is built, cost, and fit.

Data updated September 4, 2026

Best for

  • QQQMInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.
  • SCHGInvestors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside.

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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

QQQM has outpaced SCHG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 26.82% total return against 16.75%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: QQQM has compounded at 14.27% a year, against 13.02% for SCHG. 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.
SymbolYTD1Y3Y5YSince Oct 2020Volatility Sharpe Sortino Max drawdown
QQQM17.58%26.82%24.72%14.27%17.10%20.2%0.871.25-22.7%
SCHG9.57%16.75%23.20%13.02%15.95%19.4%0.851.21-23.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date), split-adjusted, as of September 4, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; windows of one year or longer are annualized. “Since Oct 2020” measures every fund from October 13, 2020 — 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.
MetricQQQMSCHG
Full nameInvesco NASDAQ 100 ETFSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF
IssuerInvescoSchwab
Underlying indexNASDAQ-100 IndexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index
Last Close$296.07 as of September 4, 2026$35.53 as of September 4, 2026
Distribution rate0.48%0.38%
Distribution Safety Score™ 96100
Safety-Adjusted Yield 0.46%0.38%
Expense ratio0.15%0.04%
AUM$104B$62.4B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
ObjectiveTrack the NASDAQ-100 Index with a lower expense ratio alternative to QQQ.Seeks to track the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, holding the components ranked 1-750 by full market capitalization that are classified as growth.
Asset classEquityEquity
Inception date10/13/202012/11/2009
Beta1.181.21
Last dividend$0.352$0.034
Ex-dividend date06/22/202606/24/2026

Bottom lineQQQM and SCHG are both for investors who want a growth tilt and can accept bigger swings for higher upside — so strategy isn't the deciding factor here. Cost is: SCHG charges 0.04% against 0.15% for QQQM, and between two funds this similar that gap comes straight out of your return every year you hold.

QQQM vs SCHG: listing rule or growth screen?

QQQM is 100 Nasdaq names with financials excluded by rule. SCHG screens the whole US large-cap market for growth, including NYSE names.

QQQMSCHG
IndexNASDAQ-100 IndexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index
How the book is builtNasdaq listing + size, no financialsUS large-cap growth characteristics
Expense ratio0.15%0.04%
Distribution yield0.48%0.38%
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Income calculator

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

Invesco
ETFs246
Total AUM$992B

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 QQQM.

See all Invesco ETFs
Schwab
ETFs33
Total AUM$616B

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

Schwab is a major provider of low-cost, broad-based ETFs known for making investing accessible to individual investors through its discount brokerage platform. The issuer's fund lineup spans multiple categories including core index funds, dividend and income-focused strategies, factor-based approaches, international exposure, fixed income, and digital assets, with popular core holdings like SCHB (U.S. broad market) and SCHD (dividend appreciation) alongside more specialized thematic offerings. Schwab's ETF suite is characterized by its breadth across asset classes and investment styles, competitive expense ratios, and integration with its retail brokerage ecosystem.

See our curated list of related YouTube videos on SCHG.

See all Schwab ETFs

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Quick verdict

QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) and SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) are both quarterly-pay dividend ETFs, but they take different approaches.

QQQM offers the higher yield at 0.48% vs 0.38% for SCHG. A higher yield means more current income per dollar invested, though it may come with different risk characteristics.

SCHG is cheaper with an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to 0.15%.

They have different reference exposures: QQQM is linked to NASDAQ-100 Index while SCHG is linked to Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQM is the larger fund by assets ($104B), but assets alone do not establish trading costs or liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, QQQM would generate roughly $4.00/month, while SCHG would produce $3.17/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

QQQM yield0.48%
SCHG yield0.38%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.83

Cost & efficiency

Over 10 years on $10,000, QQQM would cost approximately $150 in fees vs $40 for SCHG (simplified, not compounded). The $110.00 difference may be offset by yield or performance.

QQQM ER0.15%
SCHG ER0.04%

Strategy & risk

QQQM tracks NASDAQ-100 Index with a growth approach, while SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index. Beta is 1.18 for QQQM and 1.21 for SCHG — effectively similar market sensitivity.

QQQM beta1.18
SCHG beta1.21

Fund details

QQQM is managed by Invesco (launched 10/13/2020) with $104B in assets. SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $62.4B in assets.

QQQM AUM$104B
SCHG AUM$62.4B
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Frequently asked questions

Is QQQM or SCHG a better way to own US growth stocks?

They define the universe differently. QQQM tracks NASDAQ-100 Index — an exchange-listing rule, not a growth screen, so it holds the 100 largest non-financial Nasdaq companies whether or not they look like growth stocks, and excludes anything listed elsewhere. SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, which screens the whole US large-cap market on growth characteristics and so reaches NYSE-listed names too, across a much longer holdings list. Neither is an income fund — 0.48% and 0.38% respectively — so the decision is exposure and cost: 0.15% against 0.04%, with betas of 1.18 and 1.21, as of September 2026.

What is the current distribution rate for QQQM and SCHG?

QQQM currently distributes 0.48% and SCHG 0.38%, based on fund data updated September 2026. Distribution rate moves with both the payout and the share price, so check the as-of date before relying on either figure.

Is QQQM or SCHG better for dividend income?

It depends on your goals. QQQM 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 QQQM and SCHG?

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 QQQM or SCHG safer?

By Dividend Vision's Distribution Safety Score — a rules-based 0–100 estimate of how resilient a distribution looks, where higher is safer — SCHG scores 100, QQQM scores 96, so SCHG'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, QQQM or SCHG?

QQQM has an expense ratio of 0.15% while SCHG charges 0.04%. Lower fees mean more of your investment returns stay in your pocket over time.

How much income does $10,000 in QQQM vs SCHG generate?

At current rates, $10,000 in QQQM would generate roughly $4.00 per month ($48.00 annually). The same in SCHG would produce about $3.17 per month ($38.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, QQQM or SCHG?

QQQM has outpaced SCHG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 26.82% total return against 16.75%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: QQQM has compounded at 14.27% a year, against 13.02% for SCHG. Figures are total returns: price change plus every distribution reinvested. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

More comparisons to explore

QQQM vs SCHG — at a glance

Generated September 5, 2026.

Overview

QQQM and SCHG are both large-cap growth ETFs tracking different indexes at rock-bottom expense ratios, but they slice the growth universe in meaningfully different ways. QQQM tracks the NASDAQ-100—a 100-stock index heavily weighted toward technology, semiconductors, and internet companies. SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, which holds up to 750 stocks classified as growth, spanning a broader range of sectors and market-cap tiers within the large-cap space. The key distinction is concentration versus breadth: QQQM offers pure tech-heavy growth exposure, while SCHG delivers a more diversified large-cap growth portfolio.

How they differ

QQQM's biggest advantage is simplicity and sector focus: 100 holdings versus up to 750 means concentrated bets on mega-cap tech titans like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. That concentration shows up in beta—1.18 for QQQM versus 1.21 for SCHG—and in the composition of returns. SCHG's lower expense ratio (0.04% versus 0.15%) and broader mandate give it a cushion for fee-conscious investors, though the difference is tiny in absolute terms. QQQM is the newer fund, launched 10/13/2020, whereas SCHG has a longer track record dating to 12/11/2009. AUM differs markedly: QQQM holds $104B versus SCHG's $62.4B, so QQQM is the larger vehicle for liquidity-seeking traders.

Who each is best for

QQQM: Fits investors seeking direct exposure to the mega-cap tech and innovation-driven growth segment, comfortable with higher concentration risk and willing to accept greater swings around the broader market.

SCHG: Fits investors who want large-cap growth exposure across multiple sectors and a wider stock universe, preferring lower fees and diversification within the growth category over pure NASDAQ concentration.

Key risks to know

  • Sector concentration and beta amplification. QQQM's 100-stock NASDAQ structure skews toward technology and internet stocks; its 1.18 beta means it will swing harder than the broad market during tech sell-offs. SCHG's broader mandate and 1.21 beta still move faster than the market, but with less concentration risk on any single sector downturn.
  • Growth-style drawdowns. Both funds are vulnerable to sharp pullbacks when interest rates rise or growth valuations compress. Their low yields (0.48% and 0.38%) offer little cushion during extended bear markets, and recovery timelines can be long.
  • Overlap in underlying exposure. Both track large-cap growth indexes that likely share significant holdings (Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, etc.), so owning both adds redundancy rather than diversification. Verify overlap before pairing them in a portfolio.

Bottom line

If you want maximum exposure to mega-cap tech innovation and are comfortable with higher volatility, QQQM's tighter focus delivers that plainly. If you prefer diversified large-cap growth with a proven long-term track record and the lowest possible fees, SCHG's broader construction and 0.04% expense ratio appeal more. Both are institutional-grade vehicles with deep liquidity; the choice hinges on whether you value sector purity or index breadth. Past performance doesn't 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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