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VGT vs. QQQ: Where Should You Invest $1,000 Right Now for Maximum Long-Term Growth?
Key Points
The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT) holds only infotech stocks, so it misses key companies because of how they're classified.
The Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQM) is tech-heavy but holds companies from other major sectors, thus reducing concentration risk.
Both the VGT and the QQQM have averaged over 20% annual returns over the past decade.
The Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: VGT) and the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (NASDAQ: QQQ) are two of the more popular ETFs on the market right now, and their performance over the past decade is a prime reason why. In that time, they've averaged over 23% and 20% annual returns, respectively.
Both ETFs are equipped to continue producing market-beating returns, but if I had to choose between the two and invest $1,000 right now, I would choose QQQ.
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The difference between VGT and QQQ
Investing in either VGT or QQQ means betting on the tech sector. The difference is how much you're forced to lean on them.
VGT is as much of a pure-play tech ETF as you'll find. It holds 318 tech companies, covering everything from semiconductors to software to hardware and everything in between. QQQ mirrors the Nasdaq-100, an index that tracks the largest 100 nonfinancial stocks trading on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
While VGT is 100% tech stocks, QQQ is 66.4% tech stocks. However, they share five companies in their top 10 holdings:
| Company | Percentage of VGT | Percentage of QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Nvidia | 17.73% | 8.54% |
| Apple | 15.79% | 7.82% |
| Microsoft | 11.51% | 5.81% |
| Micron | 4.18% | 5.01% |
| Advanced Micro Devices | 2.95% | 3.99% |
Data sources: Vanguard and Invesco. VGT percentages as of Aug. 31; QQQ percentages as of Sept. 18.
The most noticeable thing is just how top-heavy VGT is, with Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft accounting for over 45% of the ETF. QQQ isn't necessarily the poster child for diversification, but it spreads its risk much more evenly across the board.
Why I would go with QQQ long term
VGT has outperformed QQQ in recent years, but the one reason I'd prefer QQQ long-term is its (relative) diversification and the few key companies VGT doesn't include.
High concentration works well when it works well. When it doesn't, it can be brutal. If I'm trying to maximize long-term growth, I want exposure to some nontech sectors, even if it's a relatively small amount. QQQ provides that, with companies in the following sectors:
- Consumer Discretionary: 16.65%
- Telecommunications: 4.72%
- Healthcare: 4.01%
- Industrials: 3.22%
- Consumer Staples: 2.13%
- Basic Materials: 1.25%
- Utilities: 1.14%
- Energy: 0.53%
As for the key companies VGT is missing, it comes down to classification. Companies like Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are technically in nontech sectors, so VGT excludes them because it only holds companies in the information technology (tech) sector. I'd want to own all three for the long haul, especially if I'm choosing a tech-leaning ETF.
You can't go wrong investing $1,000 in either ETF for the long haul, but I would lean more toward QQQ because it offers similar upside with less downside risk.
Stefon Walters has positions in Apple and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Nasdaq. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.