FMN vs QQQ
Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FMN or QQQ?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FMN | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.75% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $95M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.43% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 142 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +1.24% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.63% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.69% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -2.66% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.7%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.4%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,739 | $19,407Best |
| Fund Family | Federated Hermes | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2002 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 20, 2002 to Sep 4, 2026 (23.7 years).
FMN 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FMN vs QQQ Performance
Federated Hermes Premier Municipal Income Fund (FMN) is an ETF from Federated Hermes and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FMN returned +7.63% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, FMN is up 1.24% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, FMN compounded at +6.69% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -2.66% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 24-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.32% annualized vs -0.30%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.1% compared with 14.7% for FMN. 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 -53.4% for FMN and -53.5% 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 0.33. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FMN charges 0.75% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $75 vs $18 annually, a gap of $57 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FMN currently yields 4.43% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 80 holdings in FMN and 102 in QQQ, totalling 89.5% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 66 days apart, FMN as of May 31, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 80 positions we hold weights for in FMN and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 142 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FMN 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, FMN or QQQ?
FMN has an expense ratio of 0.75% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $57 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FMN or QQQ?
Over the past year FMN returned +7.63% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (24 years), FMN annualized -0.30% vs +15.32% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FMN or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.7% for FMN. Worst drawdown: FMN -53.4% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FMN and QQQ?
FMN and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.33, 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, FMN or QQQ?
FMN yields 4.43% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FMN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FMN?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.