What is the fee difference between QQQ and SCHG?

QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% and SCHG 0.04%, a difference of 0.14 percentage points. On $10,000 invested, that is roughly $18 a year for QQQ against about $4 for SCHG. Both fees are low in absolute terms, but QQQ costs more than four times as much for a portfolio that overlaps heavily with SCHG.

What index does each fund track?

QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Index, which holds the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. SCHG tracks the Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Large-Cap Growth index, which screens the whole US large-cap market for growth characteristics regardless of listing venue. That is why SCHG can hold Eli Lilly, which trades on the NYSE.

How much do QQQ and SCHG overlap?

A lot. Eight of the ten largest holdings are shared: NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, both Alphabet classes, Meta and AMD. SCHG's list adds Broadcom at 3.30% and Eli Lilly at 2.94%, while QQQ's adds Micron at 4.85% and Tesla at 2.92%. SCHG also runs heavier top weights, with NVIDIA at 10.67% versus 8.46% in QQQ.

Which fund pays a higher dividend yield?

Neither pays much. QQQ yields 0.41% and SCHG yields 0.37%. Growth companies typically reinvest cash rather than distribute it, so income is not a reason to choose either fund. Investors who want dividends usually look at broad-market or dividend-focused ETFs instead.

Which fund suits which goal?

SCHG's 0.04% fee makes it attractive for investors who want large-cap growth exposure at the lowest cost and are indifferent to which exchange a stock trades on. QQQ suits investors who specifically want the Nasdaq-100, for example because they follow that index or trade its options. For a long-term buy-and-hold growth allocation, the fee gap favors SCHG.

How large and liquid are QQQ and SCHG?

QQQ is far larger at about $484 billion in net assets versus roughly $66 billion for SCHG. Both are big enough that retail investors should see tight spreads. QQQ's extra size and its very active options market matter most for traders. QQQ launched in 1999 and SCHG in 2009.

Are there tax or account considerations?

Both are US-listed equity ETFs, so non-US investors may face US withholding tax on the small dividends they pay, depending on treaty status. Because yields are low, the bigger tax event for most holders is capital gains on sale. Treatment depends on your country and the type of account you use, so check local rules or ask a tax professional.

Can I hold both QQQ and SCHG?

You can, but the two portfolios overlap so heavily that owning both adds little diversification. Your combined position would be even more concentrated in NVIDIA, Apple and Microsoft. Most investors pick one growth fund and pair it with a broad-market or international ETF to spread risk, rather than doubling up on the same mega-cap names.

Which fund is more concentrated?

SCHG is more concentrated at the very top. NVIDIA at 10.67%, Apple at 9.94% and Microsoft at 7.42% add up to about 28% of the fund. QQQ's top three total around 22%. However, SCHG holds 196 stocks against QQQ's 104, so beyond the top names SCHG spreads the remainder more widely.

QQQ vs SCHG

Two funds, one decision: we compare cost, performance and what each ETF actually holds in September 2026.

QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 with 104 holdings for a 0.18% expense ratio, while SCHG tracks the Dow Jones US Large-Cap Growth index with 196 holdings for 0.04%. The top names overlap heavily, but SCHG weights NVIDIA at 10.67% and Apple at 9.94% versus 8.46% and 7.89% in QQQ. QQQ suits Nasdaq-focused traders; SCHG suits low-cost growth investors. Educational content, not financial advice.

Fund Snapshot

Key Fund Metrics

QQQ

Metric

SCHG

0.18%

Expense Ratio

0.04%

0.41%

Dividend Yield

0.37%

$484.28B

Net Assets

$65.89B

104

Holdings

196

Mar 10, 1999

Inception Date

Dec 11, 2009

NASDAQ 100 Index

Index Tracked

Dow Jones US Total Stock Market Large-Cap Growth

Large Growth

Fund Category

Large Growth

SCHG costs about $14.00 less per year for every $10,000 invested.

Shared Top Holdings

Holding	QQQ	SCHG
NVDANVIDIA Corporation	8.46%	10.67%
AAPLApple Inc.	7.89%	9.94%
MSFTMicrosoft Corporation	5.89%	7.42%
AMZNAmazon.com, Inc.	4.31%	4.93%
AMDAdvanced Micro Devices, Inc.	3.91%	2.76%
GOOGLAlphabet Inc.	3.22%	4.09%
METAMeta Platforms, Inc.	3.22%	3.01%
GOOGAlphabet Inc.	2.99%	3.26%

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Investment Analysis

QQQ

Pros

Direct exposure to the Nasdaq-100, the most widely followed US growth benchmark
Around $484 billion in net assets and a track record back to 1999
Holds Micron at 4.85% and Tesla at 2.92%, names absent from SCHG's top ten

Considerations

Expense ratio of 0.18% is more than four times SCHG's 0.04%
Only 104 holdings, all listed on Nasdaq, so exchange rather than style defines the fund
Excludes non-Nasdaq growth companies such as Eli Lilly that SCHG includes

SCHG

Pros

Expense ratio of 0.04%, about $4 a year per $10,000 invested
Selects growth stocks from the whole US large-cap market, not one exchange
196 holdings give somewhat broader coverage than QQQ's 104

Considerations

More concentrated at the top, with NVIDIA and Apple above 20% combined
Smaller than QQQ at about $66 billion in net assets
Dividend yield of 0.37% is slightly below QQQ's already low 0.41%

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About QQQ and SCHG

QQQ (QQQ)

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 (QQQ) is a widely traded exchange‑traded fund that seeks to track the Nasdaq‑100 Index, offering concentrated exposure to large non‑financial companies listed on the Nasdaq — think technology, consumer and biotech leaders. It provides a convenient way to gain growth-oriented exposure to a basket of big-cap, often high-growth names, with intraday liquidity like a stock. Investors should know QQQ is relatively concentrated in a handful of large issuers and sectors, which can amplify both upside and downside versus broader-market funds. It pays modest dividends and typically has higher volatility than diversified market-cap indices. As with any ETF, past performance does not predict future returns; values can fall as well as rise. This content is educational and not personalised advice — consider your risk tolerance, investment horizon and diversification needs before investing, and consult a regulated adviser for tailored guidance.

SCHG (SCHG)

SCHG (Schwab US Large‑Cap Growth ETF) is an exchange‑traded fund that offers investors low‑cost exposure to US large‑capitalisation companies exhibiting growth characteristics. It tracks a large‑cap growth index and typically holds companies with higher expected earnings growth, often leading to heavier weights in technology and other growth‑oriented sectors. As an ETF, SCHG provides intraday liquidity, diversification across dozens to hundreds of stocks and a transparent holdings profile. Costs are generally lower than many active funds, but investors should note that growth‑style funds can be more volatile than broad‑market or value strategies and that past performance is not a guide to future returns. SCHG can serve as a growth sleeve within a broader portfolio but may not suit investors seeking high income or very low volatility. This information is educational and not personalised advice; consider your risk tolerance, investment horizon and the role of style and geographic diversification before investing.

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QQQ vs SCHG

Fund Snapshot