Talk Your Book: Investing in Next Gen Tech Stocks

What It Covers

Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson speak with Invesco equity product strategist Paul Schroeder about the Invesco Nasdaq Next Gen 100 ETF (QQQJ), which tracks stocks ranked 101–200 on the Nasdaq. The conversation covers sector composition, market broadening beyond Mega-cap names, options-based income ETFs, and active ETF growth trends.

Key Questions Answered

• •QQQJ Composition: QQQJ holds Nasdaq-listed stocks ranked 101–200 by market cap, with zero overlap with QQQ and only 4% overlap with the S&P 500. Morningstar classifies it as mid-cap growth, but holdings skew larger than typical mid-cap indexes like the S&P 400. Roughly five to seven holdings graduate into QQQ annually, making top holdings worth monitoring as potential promotions.
• •Sector Differentiation: QQQJ carries approximately 32% technology exposure, roughly half of QQQ's 60% tech weighting. Health care is a standout differentiator, with bioinformatics and biotech patent filings among the highest activity within the fund. Investors seeking Nasdaq exposure with less tech concentration can use QQQJ as a complement to QQQ or broad S&P 500 index funds.
• •Market Broadening Signal: As of early February, QQQJ was up nearly 6% year-to-date while QQQ was essentially flat. Invesco's equal-weight S&P 500 fund RSP was simultaneously hitting all-time highs. This divergence signals a measurable rotation away from mega-cap dominance, a trend that had been building for twelve to fifteen months across small-cap, value, and international categories.
• •Options Income ETF Structure: Invesco's QQA uses the Nasdaq 100 as its base and layers a covered call and cash-secured put overlay to generate approximately 10% above the index's dividend yield, paid monthly. Schroeder frames this as a response to demographic demand from retirees who need income but also want equity upside, particularly in qualified accounts where yield and gains are taxed identically.
• •Active ETF Trajectory: Active ETFs dominated new fund launches in the most recent year and Schroeder views the category as still in early stages. Major asset managers, including Invesco, are converting existing SMA and mutual fund strategies into ETF wrappers. Investors should expect continued expansion in active equity and fixed income ETFs alongside options-based income products over the next several years.