FDT vs QQQ
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FDT or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. FDT is less concentrated, with 8.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%.
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 | FDT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.71% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 625 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +20.78%Best | +15.86% |
| 1Y Return | +32.48%Best | +22.63% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +27.28%Best | +24.15% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.37% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.1%Best | 17.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -48.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,916 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 8.6%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 18, 2011 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 19, 2011 to Sep 10, 2026 (15.4 years).
FDT 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 15.4 years both funds cover.
FDT vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Developed Markets Ex-US AlphaDEX Fund (FDT) 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 FDT returned +32.48% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, FDT is up 20.78% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, FDT compounded at +27.28% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +12.37% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.09% annualized vs +5.64%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 17.1% for FDT. 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 -48.6% for FDT 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FDT charges 0.80% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $18 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FDT currently yields 2.71% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of FDT's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings FDT also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 298 positions we hold weights for in FDT and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 625 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FDT (97.0% of the fund), and 6 for FDT that do not appear in QQQ (1.9%).
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 FDT | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASAsml Holding Adr Representing Nv | 0.13% | 0.68% | 0.55% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FDT 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, FDT or QQQ?
FDT has an expense ratio of 0.80% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FDT or QQQ?
Over the past year FDT returned +32.48% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so FDT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FDT annualized +5.64% vs +18.09% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FDT or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 17.1% for FDT. Worst drawdown: FDT -48.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FDT and QQQ?
FDT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, FDT or QQQ?
FDT yields 2.71% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FDT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FDT?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FDT led over 1Y and 3Y, QQQ over 5Y and the full window. FDT is less concentrated, with 8.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.