FLAG vs QQQ
Global X S&P 500 US Market Leaders Top 50 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FLAG or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. FLAG is less concentrated, with 45.4% 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 | FLAG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $2M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.84% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 52 | 107 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.6%Best | 25.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 1.9 years | $8,146 | $9,728Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 45.4%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Global X by mirae Asset | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 15, 2025 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 1088 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. FLAG has data through Sep 12, 2023 and QQQ through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.9 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 1, 2021 to Sep 12, 2023 (1.9 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 25.4% compared with 13.6% for FLAG. 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 -43.9% for FLAG 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 0.20. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLAG charges 0.29% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $29 vs $18 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLAG currently yields 0.84% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
41.8% of FLAG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 27.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings FLAG also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
16 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FLAG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 52 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 50 and 102 positions we hold weights for.
QQQ holds 80 positions FLAG does not, 69.7% of the fund.
Largest: AAPL 7.27%, MU 4.43%, AMD 3.45%, GOOGL 3.36%, AVGO 3.16%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FLAG | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 4.51% | 8.44% | 3.93% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.29% | 5.76% | 0.47% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 4.96% | 4.67% | 0.29% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 4.37% | 2.10% | 2.27% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 3.94% | 2.41% | 1.53% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 3.33% | 0.83% | 2.50% |
| APPAppLovin Corp. Com Cl A | 2.51% | 0.56% | 1.95% |
| ADBEAdobe Systems | 2.20% | 0.46% | 1.74% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 2.09% | 0.53% | 1.56% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 1.96% | 0.47% | 1.49% |
41.8% of FLAG 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, FLAG or QQQ?
FLAG has an expense ratio of 0.29% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, FLAG or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 25.4% annualized versus 13.6% for FLAG. Worst drawdown: FLAG -43.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FLAG and QQQ?
FLAG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.20, 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 FLAG and QQQ?
41.8% of FLAG's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 27.9% of QQQ's is in holdings FLAG also owns. They hold 16 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FLAG and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLAG or QQQ?
FLAG yields 0.84% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FLAG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FLAG?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window. FLAG is less concentrated, with 45.4% 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.