FDG vs QQQ
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FDG or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%.
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 | FDG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.45% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $413M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 45 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +3.26% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.93% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.66%Best | +24.15% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.85% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 20.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.7% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,281 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 66.2% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | American Century ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Mar 31, 2020 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 2, 2020 to Sep 10, 2026 (6.4 years).
FDG 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 6.4 years both funds cover.
FDG vs QQQ Performance
American Century Focused Dynamic Growth ETF (FDG) is an ETF from American Century ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FDG returned +10.93% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, FDG is up 3.26% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, FDG compounded at +24.66% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.85% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +23.71% annualized vs +20.93%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 20.3% for QQQ. 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 -43.7% for FDG 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 0.93. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDG charges 0.45% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $45 vs $18 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDG currently yields 0.00% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
79.0% of FDG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 42.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings FDG also owns.
Most of FDG is already inside QQQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
21 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 45 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 76 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FDG (56.2% of the fund), and 19 for FDG that do not appear in QQQ (17.9%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FDG | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 17.27% | 8.44% | 8.83% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc | 16.00% | 3.13% | 12.87% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 7.05% | 4.67% | 2.38% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.10% | 5.76% | 1.66% |
| TSLATesla Inc | 6.53% | 2.56% | 3.97% |
| METAMeta Platforms, Inc. | 3.17% | 2.78% | 0.39% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 1.11% | 3.16% | 2.05% |
| CDNSCadence Design Systems Inc. | 3.75% | 0.41% | 3.34% |
| LRCXLam Research Corpcommon Stock | 2.17% | 1.69% | 0.48% |
| NFLXNetflix, Inc. | 2.29% | 1.37% | 0.92% |
79.0% of FDG is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FDG or QQQ?
FDG has an expense ratio of 0.45% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDG or QQQ?
Over the past year FDG returned +10.93% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FDG annualized +20.93% vs +23.71% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDG or QQQ?
FDG has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 20.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FDG -43.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FDG and QQQ?
FDG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.93, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between FDG and QQQ?
79.0% of FDG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 42.1% of QQQ's is in holdings FDG also owns. They hold 21 positions in common, counted across the 44 positions we hold weights for in FDG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDG or QQQ?
FDG yields 0.00% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FDG?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FDG led over 3Y, QQQ over 1Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.93. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 66.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.