FNX vs QQQ
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FNX or QQQ?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FNX is less concentrated, with 5.0% 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 | FNX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.62% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.81% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 451 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +11.22% | +15.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.27% | +20.44%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +15.60% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +8.60% | +14.26%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.9% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -57.6% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,106 | $19,475Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 5.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 14, 2026 (19.3 years).
FNX 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FNX vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Mid Cap Core AlphaDEX Fund (FNX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FNX returned +14.27% while QQQ returned +20.44%. Year to date, FNX is up 11.22% versus a gain of 15.94% for QQQ.
Over three years, FNX compounded at +15.60% per year against +24.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +8.60% and +14.26% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.35% annualized vs +8.72%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FNX has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 19.9% compared with 18.9% for QQQ. 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 -57.6% for FNX 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FNX charges 0.62% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $62 vs $18 annually, a gap of $44 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FNX currently yields 0.81% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 447 holdings in FNX and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.2% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 447 positions we hold weights for in FNX and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 451 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FNX (97.5% of the fund), and 440 for FNX that do not appear in QQQ (97.1%).
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 FNX 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, FNX or QQQ?
FNX has an expense ratio of 0.62% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $44 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FNX or QQQ?
Over the past year FNX returned +14.27% vs +20.44% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FNX annualized +8.72% vs +15.35% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FNX or QQQ?
FNX has been the more volatile fund at 19.9% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FNX -57.6% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FNX and QQQ?
FNX and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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, FNX or QQQ?
FNX yields 0.81% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FNX currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FNX?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FNX is less concentrated, with 5.0% 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.