GLD vs QQQ
SPDR Gold Shares vs Invesco QQQ Trust
Last updated: 2026-04-02
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is an exchange-traded fund issued by State Street that provides exposure to gold securities. It charges an above-average expense ratio of 0.40%. Launched in 2004, the fund has a 22-year track record.
Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) is an exchange-traded fund issued by Invesco that provides exposure to large-cap U.S. growth stocks with above-average earnings potential. It charges a moderate expense ratio of 0.18%. The fund offers a modest dividend yield of 0.48%. Launched in 1999, the fund has a 27-year track record.
Quick Verdict
QQQ is significantly cheaper at 0.18% vs 0.40% expense ratio, saving you approximately $429 per $10,000 invested over 10 years. Over the past year, GLD has significantly outperformed with a 52.3% return vs 23.6%.
Key Metrics
Performance Chart
Indexed to 100 at start (5-year comparison)
Performance Comparison
Fee Impact Over Time
Estimated fee cost difference assuming 8% annual returns
Risk Metrics
Based on 5 years of daily returns
Dividend Comparison
Top Holdings
QQQ Top Holdings
| Name | Weight |
|---|---|
| NVIDIA CorporationNVDA | 8.55% |
| Apple Inc.AAPL | 7.67% |
| Microsoft CorporationMSFT | 5.56% |
| Amazon.com, Inc.AMZN | 4.49% |
| Tesla, Inc.TSLA | 3.79% |
| Walmart Inc.WMT | 3.48% |
| Meta Platforms, Inc.META | 3.26% |
| Alphabet Inc.GOOG | 3.13% |
| Broadcom Inc.AVGO | 2.99% |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose QQQ if...
you want the lowest fees and plan to buy and hold long-term. Over decades, the expense ratio difference compounds significantly.
Choose GLD if...
recent performance momentum matters to your strategy. Note that past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Choose QQQ if...
you prioritize dividend income and want higher regular distributions from your portfolio.