FDNI vs QQQ
First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FDNI or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.2%.
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 | FDNI | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.65% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $36M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.35% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 90 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -24.43% | +15.18%Best |
| 1Y Return | -29.26% | +19.65%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.84% | +24.60%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -8.51% | +13.94%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 27.6% | 20.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -71.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $6,410 | $19,204Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 64.2% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 6, 2018 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 7, 2018 to Sep 15, 2026 (7.9 years).
FDNI 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 7.9 years both funds cover.
FDNI vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Dow Jones International Internet ETF (FDNI) 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 FDNI returned -29.26% while QQQ returned +19.65%. Year to date, FDNI is down 24.43% versus a gain of 15.18% for QQQ.
Over three years, FDNI compounded at +7.84% per year against +24.60% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -8.51% and +13.94% respectively. Across the full 8-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.84% annualized vs +4.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FDNI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 27.6% compared with 20.6% 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 -71.1% for FDNI 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 0.52. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDNI charges 0.65% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $65 vs $18 annually, a gap of $47 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDNI currently yields 1.35% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
17.2% of FDNI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings FDNI also owns.
FDNI and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FDNI and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 90 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FDNI (97.5% of the fund), and 5 for FDNI that do not appear in QQQ (12.0%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDNI 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, FDNI or QQQ?
FDNI has an expense ratio of 0.65% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $47 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDNI or QQQ?
Over the past year FDNI returned -29.26% vs +19.65% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (8 years), FDNI annualized +4.30% vs +19.84% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDNI or QQQ?
FDNI has been the more volatile fund at 27.6% annualized versus 20.6% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FDNI -71.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FDNI and QQQ?
FDNI and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.52, 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 FDNI and QQQ?
17.2% of FDNI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.0% of QQQ's is in holdings FDNI also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FDNI and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FDNI or QQQ?
FDNI yields 1.35% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FDNI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FDNI?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 64.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.