FRA vs QQQ
Blackrock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund Inc vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FRA or QQQ?
Bank Loan 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 | FRA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.97% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $397M | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 13.10% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 469 | 321 |
| YTD Return | -1.29% | +21.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.66% | +23.58%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.39% | +27.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.80% | +16.25%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 18.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -51.4%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,256 | $21,231Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Bank Loan | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 31, 2003 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 28, 2003 to Oct 1, 2026 (22.9 years).
FRA 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 22.9 years both funds cover.
FRA vs QQQ Performance
Blackrock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund Inc (FRA) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FRA returned -7.66% while QQQ returned +23.58%. Year to date, FRA is down 1.29% versus a gain of 21.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, FRA compounded at +6.39% per year against +27.86% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +5.80% and +16.25% respectively. Across the full 23-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +14.36% annualized vs +5.06%.
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 14.5% for FRA. 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 -51.4% for FRA 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 0.54. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRA charges 2.97% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $297 vs $18 annually, a gap of $279 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRA currently yields 13.10% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 221 holdings in FRA and 102 in QQQ, totalling 76.2% 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 258 days apart, FRA as of Dec 31, 2025 and QQQ as of Sep 15, 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 221 positions we hold weights for in FRA and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 469 and 321.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FRA 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, FRA or QQQ?
FRA has an expense ratio of 2.97% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $279 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRA or QQQ?
Over the past year FRA returned -7.66% vs +23.58% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (23 years), FRA annualized +5.06% vs +14.36% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.1% annualized versus 14.5% for FRA. Worst drawdown: FRA -51.4% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FRA and QQQ?
FRA 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.
Which pays a higher dividend, FRA or QQQ?
FRA yields 13.10% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so FRA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FRA?
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.