FCVT vs QQQ
First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FCVT or QQQ?
Convertibles against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FCVT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $99M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 251 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +13.93% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +23.86% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +17.32% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.95% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.3%Best | 18.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.3%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,732 | $19,407Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Convertible | Equity |
| Style | Convertibles | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 3, 2015 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 4, 2015 to Sep 4, 2026 (10.8 years).
FCVT 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 10.8 years both funds cover.
FCVT vs QQQ Performance
First Trust SSI Strategic Convertible Securities ETF (FCVT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FCVT returned +23.86% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, FCVT is up 13.93% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, FCVT compounded at +17.32% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.95% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 11-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.79% annualized vs +9.37%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 14.3% for FCVT. 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 -32.3% for FCVT and -35.1% 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 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FCVT 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, FCVT currently yields 1.14% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings FCVT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FCVT, our book for it covers 45.2% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and FCVT share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FCVT and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 251 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FCVT 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, FCVT or QQQ?
FCVT 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, FCVT or QQQ?
Over the past year FCVT returned +23.86% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (11 years), FCVT annualized +9.37% vs +18.79% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FCVT or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 14.3% for FCVT. Worst drawdown: FCVT -32.3% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FCVT and QQQ?
FCVT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FCVT and QQQ?
At least 1.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings FCVT also owns. Our book for FCVT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FCVT and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FCVT or QQQ?
FCVT yields 1.14% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FCVT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FCVT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.