SPY vs QQQ: Dividend Yield, Total Return & Fees Compared
SPDR S&P 500 ETF TrustInvesco QQQ Trust ETF
Data as of the close · refreshed automatically every trading day
Performance: SPY vs QQQ
Total return assumes every distribution is reinvested. Switch to price return to see the change in share price alone.
Total Return (%) · dividends reinvested · Nov 7, 2025 – Nov 9, 2026
DividendDuel.comSPY vs QQQ at a glance
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) are compared below using data through the November 9, 2026 close, refreshed after every trading day.
Over the past year, SPY returned +13.39% with dividends reinvested, compared with +11.93% for QQQ. SPY currently yields 1.01% (trailing 12-month) against 0.46% for QQQ. Across five years the total-return gap is +77.04% for QQQ vs +72.21% for SPY.
SPY leads on both current yield and 1-year total return. Yields and returns move with markets, so check the longer periods below before drawing conclusions.
| Metric | SPY | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Last close | $752.69 | $679.35 |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% (TTM) | 0.46% (TTM) |
| Expense ratio | 0.09% | 0.20% |
| Pays | quarterly | quarterly |
| Dividends, last 12 months | $7.58 (4 payments) | $3.09 (4 payments) |
| Issuer | SPDR | Invesco |
| Inception | — | — |
Overview
Key fund stats as of the latest close.
Total returns
Price change plus dividends paid, by holding period. Best in each period is outlined.
Downside and distribution variability
Income and ending returns do not describe the whole investment experience.
Across 1,265 shared trading dates from October 26, 2021 to November 9, 2026, the largest observed peak-to-trough decline with dividends reinvested was -24.50% for SPY and -35.12% for QQQ. These figures use the same available dates for both instruments, exclude intraday moves, and are not forecasts.
SPY's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $1.80 to $1.99 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
QQQ's recorded distributions over the 12 months ending November 9, 2026 ranged from $0.7328 to $0.8135 per share across 4 distribution dates. A payment range includes special distributions and does not establish the amount of a future payment.
Fund expense ratios are annual operating costs, not a bill added to the historical returns shown here. Trading spreads, brokerage costs and personal taxes can reduce an investor's realized return.
Recent distributions
The latest 12 distributions per share, newest first. Dates are reported ex-dividend dates, not cash payment dates.
| SPY | QQQ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | $1.89 | Sep 21, 2026 | $0.7514 |
| Jun 18, 2026 | $1.90 | Jun 22, 2026 | $0.8135 |
| Mar 20, 2026 | $1.80 | Mar 23, 2026 | $0.7328 |
| Dec 19, 2025 | $1.99 | Dec 22, 2025 | $0.7941 |
| Sep 19, 2025 | $1.83 | Sep 22, 2025 | $0.694 |
| Jun 20, 2025 | $1.76 | Jun 23, 2025 | $0.5911 |
| Mar 21, 2025 | $1.70 | Mar 24, 2025 | $0.7157 |
| Dec 20, 2024 | $1.97 | Dec 23, 2024 | $0.8347 |
| Sep 20, 2024 | $1.75 | Sep 23, 2024 | $0.6769 |
| Jun 21, 2024 | $1.76 | Jun 24, 2024 | $0.7615 |
| Mar 15, 2024 | $1.59 | Mar 18, 2024 | $0.5735 |
| Dec 15, 2023 | $1.91 | Dec 27, 2023 | $0.2158 |
SPY vs QQQ: common questions
Which pays a higher dividend, SPY or QQQ?
As of November 9, 2026, SPY yields 1.01% (trailing 12-month) and QQQ yields 0.46% (trailing 12-month), so SPY currently pays the higher yield. A higher yield does not guarantee a higher total return.
Which has performed better, SPY or QQQ?
Over the past year with dividends reinvested, SPY returned +13.39% and QQQ returned +11.93%. Over five years, SPY returned +72.21% and QQQ returned +77.04%. Past performance does not predict future results.
What would $10,000 in SPY vs QQQ be worth after one year?
With dividends reinvested, $10,000 invested one year before November 9, 2026 would have grown to about $11,339 in SPY and $11,193 in QQQ.
Which is cheaper to own, SPY or QQQ?
SPY has the lower expense ratio at 0.09% a year, compared with 0.20% for QQQ. On $10,000 that is roughly $9 vs $20 a year.
How often do SPY and QQQ pay dividends?
SPY pays quarterly (4 payments in the last 12 months) and QQQ pays quarterly (4 payments).
Is SPY or QQQ the better investment?
It depends on your goals, time horizon and tax situation. Income-focused investors often weigh yield and payment frequency, while long-term investors usually compare total return and fees. Dividend Duel is an educational tool and does not provide investment advice.
Research SPY and QQQ beyond the yield
Start with the index each fund tracks, then compare expenses, inception dates and performance over a shared period. Similar names do not establish identical holdings or results.
Review SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) payment history and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF (QQQ) payment history before choosing assumptions for the dividend reinvestment calculator. Run each scenario separately; the calculator uses your rates rather than importing these historical returns.
For a cash target, use the income goal calculator. Read our guide to comparing dividend ETFs and data and editorial approach for context on the historical figures.
Related comparisons
More side-by-side comparisons with SPY and QQQ.
Published by Delta Dividends LLC. This page is for education only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Read the full disclosure.