Generated June 2026 from current fund data.
Overview
QQQM and SCHG are both broad large-cap growth ETFs that track U.S. equity indexes, but they differ in their underlying holdings and fee structure. QQQM follows the NASDAQ-100, which is heavily concentrated in technology and includes 100 large-cap stocks; SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Index, a more diversified basket of roughly 320 growth-oriented stocks across multiple sectors. The key trade-off is concentration versus breadth, paired with a meaningful difference in cost.
How they differ
QQQM's biggest distinction is its narrow mandate: the NASDAQ-100 leans heavily toward technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services, giving it a sector tilt that SCHG doesn't share. SCHG spreads its large-cap growth exposure across the broader market and includes more exposure to healthcare, financials, and industrials.
On fees, SCHG holds a clear advantage at a 0.04% expense ratio versus QQQM's 0.15%βa 0.11 percentage point gap that compounds over time. QQQM has grown to $96.8B in AUM since its 2020 inception, while SCHG has accumulated $58.4B since 2009, suggesting QQQM has attracted faster flows despite its higher cost. Both distribute quarterly and carry nearly identical betas of 1.18β1.19, indicating similar sensitivity to broad market swings.
Who each is best for
QQQM: Fits investors comfortable with heavy technology exposure who want pure NASDAQ-100 beta at a lower cost than the flagship QQQ fund and value simplicity in tracking a well-known index.
SCHG: Designed for growth-focused investors who prefer a diversified sector mix and minimal drag from fees, particularly those who want large-cap growth without overweighting technology or any single industry.
Key risks to know
- NASDAQ concentration risk. QQQM's 100-stock universe means a sharp decline in mega-cap tech namesβwhich dominate the indexβcan drive outsized losses. SCHG's broader 320-stock universe distributes this risk more evenly.
- Sector tilt disparity. QQQM's tech-heavy weighting means it will likely outpace SCHG in tech bull markets but underperform significantly during tech downturns. SCHG's diversification provides steadier but potentially lower returns when growth is driven by a few dominant names.
- Fee drag over decades. The 0.11 percentage point expense ratio difference between them may seem small, but over 20 years it compounds to meaningful underperformance for QQQM, all else equalβroughly 2.2 percentage points of cumulative drag.
- Beta similarity masks holdings divergence. Despite nearly identical betas, the two funds' daily price movements can diverge sharply depending on which sectors lead. This means using both together for diversification is less effective than the similar beta suggests.
Bottom line
If you're seeking pure NASDAQ-100 exposure and accept the concentration in tech, QQQM delivers that at reasonable cost; if you want broad large-cap growth with minimal fees and sector diversification, SCHG's lower expense ratio and wider holding base stand out. Neither is inherently "better"βthe choice hinges on whether you believe concentrated growth exposure justifies higher fees than a diversified alternative. Past performance does not predict future results.
AI-generated analysis for educational purposes only. Verify important details independently; past performance does not guarantee future results.