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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 August 19, 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.

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

QQQM has outpaced SCHG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.99% total return against 15.19%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: QQQM has compounded at 15.19% a year, against 13.78% 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
QQQM17.33%24.99%26.88%15.19%17.21%20.3%0.961.38-22.7%
SCHG8.71%15.19%25.17%13.78%15.93%19.5%0.931.33-23.4%

Total return with all distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date, split-adjusted, as of August 18, 2026. YTD and 1Y are cumulative; longer windows 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
Last Close$295.45 as of August 19, 2026$35.25 as of August 19, 2026
Distribution yield0.48%0.39%
Distribution Safety Score™ 96100
Expense ratio0.15%0.04%
AUM$106B$62.8B
Distribution frequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
Underlying indexNASDAQ-100 IndexDow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index
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$0.3520$0.0340
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%0.39%

Income calculator

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

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 QQQM.

ETFs34
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.

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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 0.39% 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 track different benchmarks: QQQM is linked to NASDAQ-100 Index while SCHG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index, which means their performance drivers differ.

QQQM is the larger fund by assets ($106B), which generally means tighter spreads and better liquidity.

Deep dive

Yield & income

On a $10,000 investment, QQQM would generate roughly $4.00/month, while SCHG would produce $3.25/month, at current distribution rates. Both pay quarterly distributions.

QQQM yield0.48%
SCHG yield0.39%
Monthly diff on $10K$0.75

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 $106B in assets. SCHG is managed by Schwab (launched 12/11/2009) with $62.8B in assets.

QQQM AUM$106B
SCHG AUM$62.8B

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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 0.39% respectively — so the decision is exposure and cost: 0.15% against 0.04%, with betas of 1.18 and 1.21, as of August 2026.

What is the current distribution yield for QQQM and SCHG?

QQQM currently distributes 0.48% and SCHG 0.39%, 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 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 $3.25 per month ($39.00 annually).

Which has performed better historically, QQQM or SCHG?

QQQM has outpaced SCHG over the trailing twelve months, posting a 24.99% total return against 15.19%. The lead holds up over 5 years too: QQQM has compounded at 15.19% a year, against 13.78% 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 August 15, 2026.

Overview

QQQM and SCHG are both large-cap growth ETFs tracking broad U.S. equity indexes, but they target different universes. QQQM tracks the NASDAQ-100—100 of the largest non-financial stocks weighted by market cap, heavily tilted toward technology and mega-cap names. SCHG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth index, which captures up to 750 companies ranked by size and classified as growth, giving it wider diversification beyond the mega-cap tech core.

How they differ

The biggest difference is breadth and sector exposure. QQQM's 100-stock NASDAQ-100 concentration means its performance is dominated by a handful of mega-cap technology names; SCHG's up-to-750-stock universe spreads that weight across a much larger set of growth companies, including smaller-cap positions outside technology. Second, fees: SCHG's 0.04% expense ratio is half QQQM's 0.15%, a meaningful gap on a long-term hold. Third, QQQM has higher beta (1.18 vs. 1.21) and a slightly higher yield (0.47% vs. 0.38%), reflecting its tech concentration and the higher volatility that comes with it.

Who each is best for

  • QQQM: Fits investors seeking pure, concentrated exposure to the largest non-financial companies in the U.S. market, particularly those comfortable with heavy technology and mega-cap weighting and willing to tolerate above-average volatility for that focus.
  • SCHG: Designed for growth-oriented investors who want large-cap exposure across a broader set of companies and sectors, with lower fees and less concentration risk relative to the NASDAQ-100 benchmark.

Key risks to know

  • Concentration and sector drift. QQQM's 100-stock design means a sharp decline in mega-cap technology stocks will have outsized impact on the fund's NAV. SCHG, with up to 750 holdings, disperses that risk more widely, but both funds are growth-tilted and will underperform in value-favoring markets.
  • Beta and volatility premium. Both funds carry beta above 1.0 (QQQM at 1.18, SCHG at 1.21), meaning they amplify broad market swings. QQQM's tighter focus on the largest non-financials may drive greater swings in individual stock holdings, while SCHG's broader base may smooth some of that volatility.
  • Fee drag over long periods. SCHG's 0.11 percentage-point expense-ratio advantage compounded over decades adds up to meaningful capital preservation, particularly relevant if market returns normalize to historical averages.

Bottom line

If you want maximum exposure to the largest U.S. growth companies and can tolerate technology concentration, QQQM delivers a focused, liquid bet. If you prefer wider diversification within growth at a lower cost, SCHG stands out for its breadth and fee efficiency. Both track transparent, rules-based indexes—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.

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