Can I Buy QQQ in My Roth IRA?
The Invesco QQQ ETF tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index and invests in tech companies and transformative industries, while its low 0.20% expense ratio may boost your returns.
Apple and Microsoft account for 19% of the portfolio, creating potential concerns among investors seeking broad-based diversification.
Expense Ratio
The PowerShares QQQ ETF (commonly referred to as triple-Qs) is an exchange-traded fund that tracks the Nasdaq 100 Index. Heavily weighted toward large-cap technology stocks, it boasts an affordable expense ratio and provides investors with many other advantages.
One drawback of QQQ and TQQQ ETFs is their dependence on four tech giants – Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN) and Tesla (TSLA). Should any one of these firms struggle in the near term, their effects could significantly impact your portfolio’s returns.
Therefore, it’s wise to diversify a portfolio with both QQQ and TQQQ with funds less reliant on these technology behemoths – such as Fidelity’s MSCI USA Information Technology 25/50 Index Tracking Stock with its lower expense ratio and solid track record of performance.
Taxes
QQQ is an ideal option for Roth IRAs, which provide tax-free growth that allows qualified withdrawals post retirement. Its expense ratio is low and features numerous growth stocks such as those held by Microsoft and Apple – two technology giants which QQQ includes in its holdings.
ETF also boasts an attractive dividend yield of 1.59%, offering steady income that helps offsetting costs associated with investing. Unfortunately, new tax law changes in 2017 no longer permit Roth IRA investors to write off losses.
Leveraged ETFs like QQQ may deliver increased returns when markets move upward, yet can amplify losses exponentially when losses increase, making them riskier investments. While they can make sense in certain taxable accounts, Roth IRA investors should carefully evaluate any leveraged ETF investment before adding one like QQQ. For less risky investing, low-cost passive alternatives like Vanguard’s VOO index ETF may offer similar returns at a reduced expense ratio.
Brokerage Fees
Roth IRAs differ from regular brokerage accounts in many ways, most notably fees. Although an IRA doesn’t charge commissions to purchase and sell investments, other fees such as expense ratio may still apply – it’s wise to minimize expenses whenever possible for long-term retirement accounts like Roth IRAs.
QQQ stands out as having a higher expense ratio and weighting in Nasdaq 100 stocks than most tech ETFs, placing its future closely tied to giant tech firms such as Apple, Microsoft and Amazon. This fund’s success relies heavily on them.
Vanguard Value Trust (VTV), with a lower expense ratio and an emphasis on large-cap value stocks, could offer an inexpensive alternative to QQQ; however, its significant exposure to financial services could undermine long-term performance.
Minimum Investment
QQQ offers a cost-efficient, liquid way for investors with an IRA to gain exposure to tech stocks at an economical price point, but long-term investors should understand its limitations before making decisions based on it.
As its name implies, this ETF follows the Nasdaq 100 Index NDX, -0.29% which comprises some of the biggest tech companies by market cap. It includes both growth and value stocks in its portfolio but lacks small-cap exposure as all 10 top holdings are large-cap stocks.
This fund also skews heavily toward technology stocks, with Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN) and Tesla (TSLA) making up a substantial percentage.
Investors with longer time frames and a higher risk tolerance should consider diversifying their QQQ holdings with other funds, such as Fidelity Investments Freedom & Opportunity Fund FRZX, +0.47% which offers greater diversification. It has provided average annual returns of 17% since 2001 while yielding solid tax-free yields that will grow within your Roth IRA account.
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