FARX vs QQQ
Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FARX or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 92.0%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | FARX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $16M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.80% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 14 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +12.10% | +22.67%Best |
| 1Y Return | +16.14% | +24.33%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +29.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.00% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.9%Best | 19.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.8%Best | -22.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $12,506 | $14,654Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 92.0% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | Frontier Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 19, 2024 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026 (1.8 years).
FARX vs QQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.8 years both funds cover.
FARX vs QQQ Performance
Frontier Asset Absolute Return ETF (FARX) is an ETF from Frontier Asset Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FARX returned +16.14% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, FARX is up 12.10% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.1% compared with 4.9% for FARX. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -5.8% for FARX and -22.8% for QQQ. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FARX charges 0.95% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FARX currently yields 2.80% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 13 holdings in FARX and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.7% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 13 positions we hold weights for in FARX and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 14 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 13 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 96 positions FARX does not, 97.8% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 8.45%, AAPL 7.80%, MSFT 5.88%, MU 4.85%, AMZN 4.41%
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FARX and QQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FARX or QQQ?
FARX has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FARX or QQQ?
Over the past year FARX returned +16.14% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), FARX annualized +13.23% vs +23.65% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FARX or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.1% annualized versus 4.9% for FARX. Worst drawdown: FARX -5.8% vs QQQ -22.8%.
Should I hold both FARX and QQQ?
FARX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FARX or QQQ?
FARX yields 2.80% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so FARX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FARX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 92.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.