QQQ vs. MGK: A Tech ETF Showdown (No, Really)

Two ETFs, one question: Why does Vanguard charge 0.07% while Invesco demands 0.20%? It’s like paying for a sandwich at a deli versus a restaurant. Both have tech stocks, but MGK’s lower fees feel like a slap in the face to your wallet. QQQ’s higher dividend? A tiny consolation prize, like getting a free napkin at a five-star restaurant.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric MGK QQQ
Issuer Vanguard Invesco
Expense ratio 0.07% 0.20%
1-yr return (as of Nov. 17, 2025) 21.82% 21.09%
Dividend yield 0.38% 0.47%
Beta (5Y monthly) 1.13 1.10
AUM $31.28 billion $385.76 billion

MGK’s fees are the quiet, efficient person who doesn’t need to shout. QQQ’s dividend is the loud one who insists on being heard, even though you’re not sure if it’s worth the noise.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric MGK QQQ
Max drawdown (5 y) -36.02% -35.12%
Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $2,080 $2,051

Both funds lost money, but QQQ lost slightly less. It’s like arguing over who spilled the coffee first-no one wins, but the grudge lasts forever.

What’s inside

QQQ, launched in 1999, is the old friend who’s seen it all. Its 101 holdings are like a dinner party where everyone knows each other, but no one really connects. MGK’s 66 stocks? A tighter circle, but still with the same tech-heavy vibe. Both have Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple-like the same three people showing up to every party.

Neither has quirks, which is both a relief and a disappointment. You want a fund to have a personality, not just a spreadsheet.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

Foolish take

QQQ and MGK are like two different ways of doing the same thing-except one charges more for the privilege. QQQ’s size is a double-edged sword: it’s popular, but also predictable. MGK’s lower fees? A small victory, but not enough to ignore the fact that both are basically the same thing.

The real issue? Why does Invesco think 0.20% is reasonable? It’s like charging extra for a seat on a plane when the seat is already paid for.

In short, QQQ is the loud, well-known cousin who’s always in the spotlight. MGK is the quiet, frugal sibling who’s still in the family photo. Neither is perfect, but one’s less of a headache.

Glossary

ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund): A financial vehicle that’s basically a group project, but with stocks.
Expense ratio: The fee you pay for the privilege of being a customer, like a toll on the highway of investing.
Liquidity: How easily you can sell your shares without looking like a desperate person.
Dividend yield: The percentage of your investment that’s returned as cash, like a tiny thank-you note.
Beta: A measure of how much a fund’s price dances compared to the market.
AUM (Assets Under Management): The total value of money a fund manages, which is basically its ego.
Max drawdown: The largest loss you’ll ever face, unless you’re a gambler.
Growth of $1,000 over 5 years: A number that’s slightly more exciting than watching paint dry.
Sector exposure: Where your money is invested, like a financial version of a party guest list.
Holdings: The stocks a fund owns, which are basically its friends.
Concentrated exposures: When a fund puts all its eggs in one basket, which is never a good idea.

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2025-11-18 00:02