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Head-to-head · ETF vs ETF

Vanguard Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1

ETF·NYSE

Vanguard Growth ETF VUG

$85.07 ▼ 2.99%
Hold
46 / 100 AI score
Full VUG analysis →
vs

ETF·NASDAQ

Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 QQQ

$690.49 ▼ 3.47%
Hold
48 / 100 AI score
Full QQQ analysis →
01

VUG vs QQQ: the verdict

How VUG and QQQ compare today, and what CleaRank Financial AI makes of it.

The verdict

CleaRank Financial AI favours QQQ
VUG QQQ
46/100 AI score 48/100
+2.8% 1-year change +10.3%
20.2% Volatility (30d, yearly) 22.7%
34.0 RSI (14-day) 34.9
The verdict
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) leads on CleaRank's model, with a score of 48/100 (Hold) to 46/100 (Hold) for Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). The biggest difference sits in one-year performance: over the past year QQQ's price climbed 10.29%.
Outlook
VUG sits between its 50-day average at $89.05 and its 200-day at $84.00. QQQ sits between its 50-day average at $725.00 and its 200-day at $679.52.
02

Price, side by side

Both prices start at 0% on the first day of the period you pick, so the moves compare directly.

Rebased price

Nov '25Jan '26Mar '26Jun '26Aug '26Oct '26
VUG QQQ

Over 1 year: VUG gained 2.8% and QQQ gained 10.3%, a gap of 7.5 points in QQQ's favour.

03

Key metrics

Size and recent performance for each.

Size and market performance

VUG QQQ
$392.1B Size (net assets / market cap) $498.9B
20.2M Volume (shares, last session) 80.1M
66% Position in 52-week range 65%
-4.5% Price against 50-day average -4.8%
Reading
VUG is the less expensive fund to own. Its expense ratio is 0.03%, compared with 0.18% for QQQ, so a $10,000 holding costs $3.00 a year in VUG and $18.00 in QQQ. QQQ is the bigger fund, holding $498.9B in net assets against $392.1B for VUG.
04

Momentum and sentiment

The indicators behind each AI score, side by side.

Indicators side by side

VUG QQQ
46/100 AI score 48/100
34.0 RSI (14-day) 34.9
-4.5% Price against 50-day average -4.8%
+1.3% Price against 200-day average +1.6%
Technicals
VUG is in a mixed trend, trading 4.47% below its 50-day average and 1.27% above its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 34.0, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. QQQ is in a mixed trend, trading 4.76% below its 50-day average and 1.61% above its 200-day average. Its 14-day RSI is 34.9, in the bearish zone, with the MACD line negative. VUG sits higher in its 52-week range, at 66% against 65% for QQQ.
Sentiment
VUG fell 5.59% over the past month and fell 0.15% over three months. QQQ fell 6.66% over the past month and rose 0.36% over three months.
05

Risk and practical tips

How much each moves, how much return each has paid for that risk, and what to watch if you hold either.

Risk measures

VUG QQQ
20.2% Volatility (30d, yearly) 22.7%
0.58 Sharpe ratio 0.69
Risk
QQQ moves more on an average day, 1.23% against 1.09% for VUG. Their worst falls in the price history were 32.8% for VUG (December 2021 to December 2022) and 34.6% for QQQ. QQQ moves more on an average day; on the other measures we track the two are close.
ProTips
  1. For VUG, watch the 20-day EMA at $88.62 above the price and the 200-day SMA at $84.00 below it.
  2. For QQQ, watch the 20-day EMA at $721.13 above the price and the 200-day SMA at $679.52 below it.
  3. Costs compound: VUG charges $3.00 a year on $10,000 and QQQ $18.00.
06

VUG vs QQQ: long-term scenarios

Simulated paths from each price history. A range of outcomes, not a forecast.

Simulated growth of $10,000

202620282030203220342036
VUG median VUG 90th QQQ median QQQ 90th
VUG QQQ
$10,471 Downside, 2036 (10th) $10,568
$25,214 Base case, 2036 (median) $26,461
$60,717 Upside, 2036 (90th) $66,251

In the median simulated path, $10,000 in VUG grows to about $25,200 and $10,000 in QQQ to about $26,500 by 2036. The paths come from each asset's own historical volatility and trend; they are statistical outcomes, not forecasts.

07

Trade plans for both

Entry, stop and target levels from each moving average and its volatility. Educational, not advice.

Actionable Trade Plans

Select Your Trade Bias
Risk Tolerance
Conservative 3% Aggressive
Portfolio Value
$ ✎
Position Size: $200 - $300 per asset
VUG
Current: $85.07
ENTRY ZONES
$80.82
$85.07
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$78.39
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$89.32
+10% from current
$93.58
+15% from current
$97.83
QQQ
Current: $690.49
ENTRY ZONES
$655.97
$690.49
RISK MANAGEMENT
STOP LOSS
$636.29
MAX LOSS
-3%
Volatility-Adjusted Stop Loss
Calculated based on volatility and technical support levels.
Profit Targets (Based on Conservative)
+5% from current
$725.01
+10% from current
$759.54
+15% from current
$794.06
Disclaimer
The content is for educational purposes only. The verdict weighs trend, valuation and risk together. Trading involves risk of loss.

Note: The AI favored QQQ based on price momentum, on today's data.
08

VUG vs QQQ: questions people ask

Answered from the figures on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, VUG or QQQ?+
On CleaRank's model QQQ scores higher, 48/100 (Hold) against 46/100 (Hold) for VUG. This describes the data on this page and is not a personal recommendation.
Which has performed better over the past year, VUG or QQQ?+
QQQ has done better: its price rose 10.29% over the past year, while VUG rose 2.84%.
Which is cheaper to own, VUG or QQQ?+
VUG is the cheaper fund to hold, with an expense ratio of 0.03% compared with 0.18% for QQQ.
Which pays more income, VUG or QQQ?+
QQQ pays the higher yield, at 0.42% against 0.38% for VUG. Yield is the payout divided by the price, so it moves whenever either of those does.
Which is riskier, VUG or QQQ?+
QQQ moves more on an average day; on the other measures we track the two are close. Average daily move: 1.09% for VUG, 1.23% for QQQ. Worst fall in the price history: 32.8% for VUG, 34.6% for QQQ.
Which has stronger momentum right now, VUG or QQQ?+
QQQ has the higher 14-day RSI, 34.9 (bearish) against 34.0 (bearish) for VUG. Both MACD lines are negative. Readings above 70 or below 30 mark stretched momentum.
Which fund is larger, VUG or QQQ?+
QQQ is the bigger fund by net assets, holding $498.9B against $392.1B for VUG.
How would $10,000 have grown in VUG or QQQ?+
Invested in October 2016, $10,000 would be worth $76,230 today in VUG and $65,518 in QQQ.
Which is closer to its 52-week high, VUG or QQQ?+
VUG is closer: it trades 8.53% below its 52-week high of $93.00, against 9.49% below $762.86 for QQQ.

Disclaimer: CleaRank.com is a financial data and analytics provider, not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial regulatory body. This AI-generated comparison of VUG vs QQQ is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendations, or an offer to buy or sell any securities or digital assets. The comparison metrics, trade plans, and AI signals are hypothetical, hindsight-based, and simulated. Different asset classes carry different risk profiles - stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and forex each have unique regulatory frameworks and risk factors. Market data is provided "as-is" and may be delayed by 15 minutes or more. Past performance does not guarantee future results. You should never invest money you cannot afford to lose. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Analysis generated on October 31, 2026.

Disclaimer:

Engaging in financial markets carries significant risk of total capital loss. Markets are volatile, unpredictable, and past success does not guarantee future results. Never invest funds you cannot afford to lose. CleaRank does not offer financial, investment, or advisory services. We provide no recommendations, endorsements, or guarantees regarding market outcomes. You alone are responsible for your decisions.

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