FLQL vs QQQ
Franklin US Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FLQL or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
FLQL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLQL is less concentrated, with 38.3% 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 | FLQL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $2.1B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.04% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 220 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +13.45% | +17.33%Best |
| 1Y Return | +19.97% | +26.50%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.55% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.39% | +14.15%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.0%Best | 19.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -33.6%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,744 | $19,381Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.3%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 26, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 28, 2017 to Sep 3, 2026 (9.3 years).
FLQL 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
FLQL vs QQQ Performance
Franklin US Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF (FLQL) 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 FLQL returned +19.97% while QQQ returned +26.50%. Year to date, FLQL is up 13.45% versus a gain of 17.33% for QQQ.
Over three years, FLQL compounded at +21.55% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +13.39% and +14.15% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.89% annualized vs +14.68%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.5% compared with 15.0% for FLQL. 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 -33.6% for FLQL 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 0.88. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FLQL charges 0.15% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $18 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FLQL currently yields 1.04% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
49.8% of FLQL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 62.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings FLQL also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
30 positions in common, counted across the 215 positions we hold weights for in FLQL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 220 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 66 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FLQL (34.7% of the fund), and 180 for FLQL that do not appear in QQQ (49.2%).
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 FLQL | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp. | 7.04% | 8.44% | 1.40% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 7.27% | 7.27% | 0.00% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 4.99% | 5.76% | 0.77% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 3.53% | 4.67% | 1.14% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc.Class A | 3.94% | 3.36% | 0.58% |
| GOOGAlphabet Inc. C | 3.18% | 3.13% | 0.05% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.71% | 3.16% | 0.45% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.67% | 4.43% | 3.76% |
| METAMeta Platform Inc | 1.88% | 2.78% | 0.90% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.69% | 3.45% | 2.76% |
62.8% of QQQ is already inside FLQL.
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, FLQL or QQQ?
FLQL has an expense ratio of 0.15% while QQQ charges 0.18%. FLQL is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FLQL or QQQ?
Over the past year FLQL returned +19.97% vs +26.50% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FLQL annualized +14.68% vs +19.89% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FLQL or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 19.5% annualized versus 15.0% for FLQL. Worst drawdown: FLQL -33.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FLQL and QQQ?
FLQL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.88, 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 FLQL and QQQ?
62.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings FLQL also owns. 62.8% of QQQ's is in holdings FLQL also owns. They hold 30 positions in common, counted across the 215 positions we hold weights for in FLQL and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FLQL or QQQ?
FLQL yields 1.04% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FLQL currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FLQL?
FLQL has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FLQL is less concentrated, with 38.3% 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.