FNDF vs QQQ
Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FNDF or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FNDF led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. FNDF is less concentrated, with 14.9% 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 | FNDF | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.25% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $26.2B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.94% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 906 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +22.35%Best | +17.11% |
| 1Y Return | +36.12%Best | +23.99% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.01% | +24.62%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.69%Best | +14.23% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5%Best | 17.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -44.0% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,844Best | $19,449 |
| Top 10 Weight | 14.9%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | Charles Schwab Asset Management | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Aug 15, 2013 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 15, 2013 to Sep 9, 2026 (13.1 years).
FNDF 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 13.1 years both funds cover.
FNDF vs QQQ Performance
Schwab Fundamental International Equity ETF (FNDF) is an ETF from Charles Schwab Asset Management and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FNDF returned +36.12% while QQQ returned +23.99%. Year to date, FNDF is up 22.35% versus a gain of 17.11% for QQQ.
Over three years, FNDF compounded at +24.01% per year against +24.62% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +14.69% and +14.23% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +19.08% annualized vs +7.78%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.9% compared with 15.5% for FNDF. 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 -44.0% for FNDF 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 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNDF charges 0.25% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $25 vs $18 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNDF currently yields 2.94% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
1.1% of FNDF's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings FNDF also owns.
QQQ and FNDF share little of their money.
5 positions in common, counted across the 872 positions we hold weights for in FNDF and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 906 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FNDF (96.6% of the fund), and 22 for FNDF that do not appear in QQQ (3.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FNDF 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, FNDF or QQQ?
FNDF has an expense ratio of 0.25% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNDF or QQQ?
Over the past year FNDF returned +36.12% vs +23.99% for QQQ, so FNDF leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FNDF annualized +7.78% vs +19.08% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNDF or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.9% annualized versus 15.5% for FNDF. Worst drawdown: FNDF -44.0% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FNDF and QQQ?
FNDF and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, 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 FNDF and QQQ?
1.9% of QQQ's money is in holdings FNDF also owns. 1.9% of QQQ's is in holdings FNDF also owns. They hold 5 positions in common, counted across the 872 positions we hold weights for in FNDF and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FNDF or QQQ?
FNDF yields 2.94% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FNDF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FNDF?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FNDF led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. FNDF is less concentrated, with 14.9% 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.