FLGB vs QQQ
Franklin FTSE United Kingdom ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FLGB or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
FLGB has a lower expense ratio. FLGB led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.2%.
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 | FLGB | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.09%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $872M | $437.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.87% | 0.43% |
| Holdings | 164 | 208 |
| YTD Return | +9.90% | +12.98%Best |
| 1Y Return | +13.93%Best | +11.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.60% | +23.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.88% | +12.74%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 20.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -46.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,529 | $18,213Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.2% | 46.9%Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Nov 2, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 6, 2017 to Nov 11, 2026 (9 years).
FLGB 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 9 years both funds cover.
FLGB vs QQQ Performance
Franklin FTSE United Kingdom ETF (FLGB) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FLGB returned +13.93% while QQQ returned +11.59%. Year to date, FLGB is up 9.90% versus a gain of 12.98% for QQQ.
Over three years, FLGB compounded at +20.60% per year against +23.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.88% and +12.74% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.57% annualized vs +6.79%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 16.7% for FLGB. 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 -46.6% for FLGB 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLGB charges 0.09% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $9 vs $18 annually, a gap of $9 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLGB currently yields 2.87% against 0.43% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
6.3% of FLGB's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings FLGB also owns.
FLGB and QQQ share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in FLGB and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 164 and 208.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FLGB (95.5% of the fund), and 51 for FLGB that do not appear in QQQ (86.1%).
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 FLGB 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, FLGB or QQQ?
FLGB has an expense ratio of 0.09% while QQQ charges 0.18%. FLGB is the cheaper option, by $9 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLGB or QQQ?
Over the past year FLGB returned +13.93% vs +11.59% for QQQ, so FLGB leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLGB annualized +6.79% vs +18.57% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLGB or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 16.7% for FLGB. Worst drawdown: FLGB -46.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FLGB and QQQ?
FLGB and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.54, 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 FLGB and QQQ?
6.3% of FLGB's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.7% of QQQ's is in holdings FLGB also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 67 positions we hold weights for in FLGB and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLGB or QQQ?
FLGB yields 2.87% while QQQ yields 0.43%, so FLGB currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FLGB?
FLGB has a lower expense ratio. FLGB led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.