QQQ vs. VOO: Which Powerhouse ETF Is the Better Buy for Investors Right Now?

Core Insights - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) are both large-cap U.S. equity ETFs but differ in their investment focus and strategies [1] Cost & Size - VOO has a lower expense ratio of 0.03% compared to QQQ's 0.18% [2] - As of February 2, 2026, VOO's 1-year return is 15.79%, while QQQ's is higher at 20.13% [2] - VOO offers a dividend yield of 1.13%, significantly higher than QQQ's 0.46% [2] - VOO has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $839 billion, compared to QQQ's $407 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, VOO's maximum drawdown is -24.53%, while QQQ's is steeper at -35.12% [4] - A $1,000 investment in VOO would have grown to $1,853, whereas the same investment in QQQ would have grown to $1,945 over five years [4] Portfolio Composition - QQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 with 101 holdings, heavily weighted towards technology (53%), followed by communication services (17%) and consumer cyclical (13%) [5] - VOO, tracking the S&P 500, holds 504 stocks, with technology making up 35%, financial services at 13%, and communication services at 11% [6] - The top holdings of both ETFs include major tech companies like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft, but VOO offers a broader sector mix for diversification [6] Implications for Investors - VOO is more diversified, which may appeal to investors looking to limit risk during market downturns [7] - QQQ is more growth-focused, with a significant allocation to tech stocks, which can lead to higher volatility [8] - QQQ has experienced more price fluctuations, indicated by a higher beta and maximum drawdown compared to VOO, but has also outperformed VOO in total returns over both 12-month and five-year periods [9]