Got some idle cash you plan to leave untouched for the long term? Then it’s worth having a real talk about US stock ETFs.

Over the past decade, the performance difference among some popular ETFs is bigger than you might expect. Let’s break down their returns, drawdowns, and what you could make on average per year (all dividends included and automatically reinvested).

**QQQ, the Tech Monster**
Tracks the Nasdaq 100 index, packed with tech giants like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft. Asset size exceeds $300 billion, with a 0.20% management fee. It’s for those with a big risk appetite chasing high growth—but be prepared, tech stocks swing wildly with economic cycles. The bear market last year saw some painful drawdowns. But so far this year it’s up 25%. Long-term, it’s still attractive—as long as you don’t put all your eggs in one basket.

**DIA, the Steady Old-Timer**
Tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s 30 blue chips, starring mature companies like UnitedHealth and Goldman Sachs. Assets just over $35 billion, fee at 0.16%. This is classic value investing—stable dividends, established companies, little drama. Up 15% this year, slower than QQQ, but much more resilient during downturns. Great for steady-income, dividend-focused investors—just don’t expect explosive growth.

**SPY, the All-Purpose Player**
Covers the S&P 500, including the 500 largest US companies. It’s got both tech and finance, balancing growth and value. Asset size exceeds $5 trillion ( incomplete data ), making it one of the most liquid ETFs on the market. Want diversification without a lot of hassle? You can’t go wrong with this one.

How should you allocate your retirement money? Aggressive investors go heavy on QQQ to bet on tech; conservative types hug DIA for dividends; those in the middle just let SPY do its thing. The key—don’t chase rallies or panic sell. Time is the true friend of compound growth.