FRDM vs QQQ
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FRDM or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FRDM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.4%.
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 | FRDM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.49% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $3.4B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.65% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 136 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +35.26%Best | +17.54% |
| 1Y Return | +69.69%Best | +25.59% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +36.02%Best | +24.63% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +17.56%Best | +14.18% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 20.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -40.5% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $22,454Best | $19,407 |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.4% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Freedom ETFs | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 23, 2019 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 23, 2019 to Sep 4, 2026 (7.3 years).
FRDM 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 7.3 years both funds cover.
FRDM vs QQQ Performance
Freedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF (FRDM) is an ETF from Freedom ETFs and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FRDM returned +69.69% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, FRDM is up 35.26% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, FRDM compounded at +36.02% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +17.56% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +21.64% annualized vs +17.45%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRDM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 20.3% 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 -40.5% for FRDM 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 0.71. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRDM charges 0.49% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $49 vs $18 annually, a gap of $31 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FRDM currently yields 1.65% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 127 holdings in FRDM and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.8% 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 127 positions we hold weights for in FRDM and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 136 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FRDM (97.5% of the fund), and 11 for FRDM that do not appear in QQQ (3.7%).
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 FRDM 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, FRDM or QQQ?
FRDM has an expense ratio of 0.49% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $31 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FRDM or QQQ?
Over the past year FRDM returned +69.69% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so FRDM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), FRDM annualized +17.45% vs +21.64% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRDM or QQQ?
FRDM has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 20.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FRDM -40.5% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FRDM and QQQ?
FRDM and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.71, 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, FRDM or QQQ?
FRDM yields 1.65% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FRDM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FRDM?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FRDM led over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, QQQ over the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.4%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.