JEPQ vs QQQ: Head-to-Head Comparison
JEPQ vs QQQ: JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF has an expense ratio of 0.35% while Invesco QQQ Trust charges 0.20%. JEPQ holds 85 securities vs QQQ's 101. 5-year returns: 0.00% vs 19.50%.
Last updated: April 2026
Income
Quick Verdict
QQQ edges out JEPQ with a stronger Beginner Suitability Score (8.5 vs 8). It offers lower fees for new investors.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | JEPQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.20% |
| AUM | $18.0B | $310.0B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.00% | 0.60% |
| Holdings | 85 | 101 |
| 1-Year Return | 18.00% | 29.80% |
| 5-Year Return (Ann.) | 0.00% | 19.50% |
| 10-Year Return (Ann.) | 0.00% | 18.50% |
| Beta | 0.65 | 1.15 |
| P/E Ratio | 30.0 | 33.2 |
JEPQ 5-year annualized return is 0.00% compared to QQQ's 19.50%. Over 10 years, JEPQ returned 0.00% vs QQQ's 18.50%.
View data table
| Period | JEPQ Return | QQQ Return |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | 2.50% | 3.50% |
| 1 Year | 18.00% | 29.80% |
| 3 Year | 10.00% | 13.20% |
| 5 Year | 0.00% | 19.50% |
| 10 Year | 0.00% | 18.50% |
Key Differences Between JEPQ and QQQ
JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) is a covered call fund managed by JPMorgan. JEPQ applies JPMorgan's equity premium income strategy to Nasdaq-100 stocks, combining a portfolio of high-quality tech-heavy companies with options overlay to generate substantial monthly income. It offers a way to own growth-oriented technology stocks while earning income that these companies typically do not pay as dividends. The fund bridges the gap between growth investing and income generation.
QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) is a u.s. large-cap growth fund managed by Invesco. QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 index, which includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. It is heavily tilted toward technology and growth stocks, making it a favorite for investors who want concentrated exposure to the tech sector. Beginners should understand that QQQ can deliver higher returns than the S&P 500 in good years but also experiences sharper declines during downturns.
The most notable differences are in fees (0.35% vs 0.20%), number of holdings (85 vs 101), and 5-year returns (0.00% vs 19.50%).
JEPQ vs QQQ multi-factor comparison: JEPQ has a 0.35% expense ratio, 0.00% 5-year return, 85 holdings, 0.65 beta, and 9.00% yield. QQQ has 0.20% expense ratio, 19.50% 5-year return, 101 holdings, 1.15 beta, and 0.60% yield.
View data table
| Metric | JEPQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.20% |
| 5-Year Return | 0.00% | 19.50% |
| Holdings | 85 | 101 |
| Beta | 0.65 | 1.15 |
| Dividend Yield | 9.00% | 0.60% |
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Holdings Overlap Analysis
67%
Holdings Overlap
JEPQ and QQQ share 67% of their top holdings. There is moderate overlap, so owning both provides some additional diversification but with diminishing returns.
JEPQ and QQQ share 67% of their top holdings (moderate overlap). JEPQ has 85 total holdings and QQQ has 101. Common holdings include AAPL, MSFT, NVDA.
View data table
| Metric | JEPQ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap | 67% | 67% |
| Unique Holdings | 33% | 33% |
| Total Holdings | 85 | 101 |
Cost Comparison Over Time
If you invest $10,000 and hold for 20 years (assuming 8% annual returns):
JEPQ
Fee cost: $2,930
QQQ
Fee cost: $1,696
Over 20 years, the fee difference amounts to $1,234 on a $10,000 investment. QQQ saves you more in fees over time.
On a $10,000 investment over 20 years at 8% return, JEPQ (0.35% fee) grows to $43,680 while QQQ (0.20% fee) grows to $44,913. The fee difference costs $1,233.
View data table
| Year | JEPQ Value | QQQ Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 5 | $14,457 | $14,558 |
| 10 | $20,900 | $21,193 |
| 15 | $30,214 | $30,852 |
| 20 | $43,680 | $44,913 |
Which One Should a Beginner Choose?
Choose JEPQ if: You want income seekers who love technology stocks but need current cash flow, investors wanting to dampen nasdaq volatility while earning premium income, portfolio income diversification beyond traditional dividend and bond strategies. It's managed by JPMorgan with an expense ratio of 0.35%.
Choose QQQ if: You want growth-oriented investors with a long time horizon and higher risk tolerance, investors who want concentrated exposure to technology and innovation leaders, younger investors who can tolerate short-term volatility for potentially higher long-term returns. It's managed by Invesco with an expense ratio of 0.20%.
Can You Own Both JEPQ and QQQ?
With 67% holdings overlap, owning both means you're essentially doubling down on the same stocks. For beginners, we recommend picking one to keep things simple. If you want more diversification, consider pairing your choice with an international ETF like VXUS or a bond ETF like BND instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy JEPQ or QQQ?▾
QQQ edges out JEPQ with a stronger Beginner Suitability Score (8.5 vs 8). It offers lower fees for new investors. However, both are solid options. JEPQ is best for investors who want income seekers who love technology stocks but need current cash flow, while QQQ is better suited for growth-oriented investors with a long time horizon and higher risk tolerance.
What is the difference between JEPQ and QQQ?▾
JEPQ (JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF) tracks covered call investments with 85 holdings and a 0.35% expense ratio. QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) focuses on u.s. large-cap growth with 101 holdings at 0.20%. Their top holdings overlap by 67%.
Can I own both JEPQ and QQQ?▾
Since JEPQ and QQQ have 67% holdings overlap, owning both means significant duplication. Most beginners are better off choosing one.