Over the past decade, the NASDAQ 100 index has emerged as one of the strongest performers in the stock market. Introduced in 1985, the NASDAQ 100 is a market-cap-weighted index that tracks the performance of 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange. This index is home to some of the world’s most influential companies, including Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Tesla.
The NASDAQ 100 is heavily weighted toward the technology sector, which has been a key driver of its impressive growth. Its focus on innovative and high-growth companies has made it a popular choice for investors worldwide seeking exposure to cutting-edge industries. The index’s performance reflects the global demand for technology-driven solutions and its pivotal role in shaping modern economies.
What is a NASDAQ ETF?
A NASDAQ Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) offers investors a streamlined way to gain exposure to companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange without the need to buy individual stocks. Specifically, a NASDAQ 100 ETF focuses on the top 100 non-financial companies on the exchange, which often leads to greater volatility than the broader market due to its emphasis on technology and large-cap stocks.
Key benefits of investing in a NASDAQ ETF include:
- Growth Potential: Exposure to innovative, high-growth sectors and leading companies with strong market performance.
- Diversification: Adds variety to an investment portfolio by including a range of companies from different industries, primarily in technology and consumer services.
Such ETFs are particularly attractive for investors looking to capitalize on the tech-driven market trends while maintaining portfolio simplicity.
What is the Best NASDAQ ETF in Canada?
If you’re looking for ETFs with the best historical performance based on their five-year annualized returns, here are a few top performers:
- HQU: BetaPro NASDAQ-100 2x Daily Bull ETF
- ZNQ: BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity Index ETF
- HXQ: Global X NASDAQ-100 Index Corporate Class ETF
- QQC.F: Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
- ZQQ: BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged to CAD Index ETF
- XQQ: iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)
- QQCC: Global X NASDAQ-100 Covered Call ETF
- QQC: Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
- QQCE: Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
- QQCE.F: Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
NASDAQ ETF Comparison
Quickly compare NASDAQ ETFs by fees, performance, yield, and other metrics to decide which ETF fits in your portfolio.
| Manager | ETF | Inception | MER | AUM | P/E | Yield | Distributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetaPro | HQU | 2008-06-17 | 1.47% | $322,084,555 | 53.15 | N/A | N/A |
| BlackRock | XQQ | 2011-05-03 | 0.39% | $2,667,807,780 | N/A | 0.31% | Semi-Annually |
| BMO | ZNQ | 2019-02-15 | 0.39% | $528,680,000 | N/A | 0.34% | Annually |
| BMO | ZQQ | 2010-01-19 | 0.39% | $1,833,760,000 | N/A | 0.32% | Annually |
| Global X | HXQ | 2016-04-19 | 0.28% | $535,942,215 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Global X | QQCC | 2011-09-13 | 0.84% | $118,489,096 | 32.33 | 10.53% | Monthly |
| Invesco | QQC | 2021-05-10 | 0.20% | $243,976,080 | 39.88 | 0.54% | Quarterly |
| Invesco | QQC.F | 2011-06-08 | 0.20% | $710,732,257 | 38.86 | 0.56% | Quarterly |
| Invesco | QQCE | 2021-11-01 | 0.22% | $89,017,615 | 40.61 | 0.42% | Quarterly |
| Invesco | QQCE.F | 2021-11-01 | 0.23% | $2,210,599 | 38.71 | 0.50% | Quarterly |
10. Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF Hedged (QQCE.F) invests in securities of U.S companies in order to replicate the Nasdaq–100 ESG Index. The Nasdaq–100 ESG Index is designed to measure the performance of the companies in the Nasdaq–100 Index meeting certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Weights are calculated and adjusted based on a formula that considers the ESG Risk Rating Score, which is generated by a third-party research provider, and market capitalization. The ETF seeks to hedge the foreign currency exposure of the portion of the portfolio attributable to the CAD-Hedged Units back to the Canadian dollar to the extent that such exposure is hedged by the index provider in the hedged version of its index.
9. Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
Invesco ESG NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQCE) invests in securities of U.S companies in order to replicate the Nasdaq–100 ESG Index. The Nasdaq–100 ESG Index is designed to measure the performance of the companies in the Nasdaq–100 Index meeting certain environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. Weights are calculated and adjusted based on a formula that considers the ESG Risk Rating Score, which is generated by a third-party research provider, and market capitalization.
8. Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (QQC) invests in securities of Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (Nasdaq ticker: QQQ), Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (Nasdaq ticker: QQQM) or in securities of U.S. companies to replicate the Nasdaq–100 Index. The index consists of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC based on market capitalization.
7. Global X NASDAQ-100 Covered Call ETF
Global X NASDAQ-100 Covered Call ETF (QQCC) seeks to provide, to the extent possible and net of expenses: (a) exposure to the performance of an index of the largest domestic and international, non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ stock market (currently, the NASDAQ-100 Index); and (b) monthly U.S. dollar distributions of dividend and call option income. To mitigate downside risk and generate income, QQCC will employ a dynamic covered call option writing program. QQCC will not seek to hedge its exposure to the U.S. dollar back to the Canadian dollar.
6. iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)
iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XQQ) to provide long-term capital growth by replicating the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Currency-Hedged CAD Index, net of expenses.
- Exposure to 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market based on market cap
- Can be used to diversify into large-cap U.S. companies while avoiding exposure to financial companies
5. BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged to CAD Index ETF
BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged to CAD Index ETF (ZQQ) has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of a NASDAQ listed companies index, net of expenses. The Fund invests in and holds the Constituent Securities of the Index in the same proportion as they are reflected in the Index. The U.S. dollar currency exposure is hedged back to the Canadian dollar.
4. Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF
Invesco NASDAQ 100 Index ETF CAD Hedged Units (QQC.F) invests in securities of Invesco QQQ TrustSM, Series 1 (Nasdaq ticker: QQQ), Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (Nasdaq ticker: QQQM) or in securities of U.S. companies to replicate the Nasdaq–100 Index. The index consists of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC based on market capitalization. The ETF seeks to hedge the foreign currency exposure of the portion of the portfolio attributable to the CAD-Hedged Units back to the Canadian dollar to the extent that such exposure is hedged by the index provider in the hedged version of its index.
3. Global X NASDAQ-100 Index Corporate Class ETF
Global X NASDAQ-100 Index Corporate Class ETF (HXQ) seeks to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index (Total Return). The NASDAQ-100 Index (Total Return) includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market.
2. BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity Index ETF
BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity Index ETF (ZNQ) has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of a NASDAQ listed companies index, net of expenses. The Fund invests in and holds the Constituent Securities of the Index in the same proportion as they are reflected in the Index.
1. BetaPro NASDAQ-100 2x Daily Bull ETF
BetaPro NASDAQ-100 2x Daily Bull ETF (HQU) seeks daily investment results, before fees, expenses, distributions, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, that correspond to two times (200%) the daily performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. HQU is denominated in Canadian dollars. Any U.S. dollar gains or losses resulting from the ETF’s investment will be hedged back to the Canadian dollar to the best of the ETF’s ability.
What Canadian ETF Tracks the NASDAQ?
BlackRock, BMO, Horizons and Invesco currently offer some of the best ETFs in the country, and NASDAQ ETFs are no different. XQQ is currently the most popular Canadian Nasdaq 100 ETF with just over $2.6 billion in assets under management (AUM).
Can You Invest in QQQ in Canada?
The Canadian version of QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) is the Invesco NASDAQ-100 Index ETF (QQC). QQC is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 index, providing Canadian investors with exposure to the largest US technology and non-financial companies.
