FSCS vs QQQ
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FSCS 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. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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 | FSCS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $60M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.98% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 202 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +1.03% | +21.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.06% | +25.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.87% | +28.80%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.45% | +15.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 19.6%Tie | 19.6%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -43.6% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,039 | $20,706Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 11.8%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 20, 2017 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 22, 2017 to Sep 25, 2026 (9.3 years).
FSCS 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 9.3 years both funds cover.
FSCS vs QQQ Performance
First Trust SMID Capital Strength ETF (FSCS) 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 FSCS returned -0.06% while QQQ returned +25.89%. Year to date, FSCS is up 1.03% versus a gain of 21.71% for QQQ.
Over three years, FSCS compounded at +10.87% per year against +28.80% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +5.45% and +15.67% respectively. Across the full 9-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.13% annualized vs +7.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FSCS and QQQ have been equally volatile, both at 19.6% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -43.6% for FSCS 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 0.66. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSCS charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSCS currently yields 0.98% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 100 holdings in FSCS and 102 in QQQ, totalling 99.9% 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 100 positions we hold weights for in FSCS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 202 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 96 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FSCS (97.5% of the fund), and 95 for FSCS that do not appear in QQQ (95.0%).
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 FSCS 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, FSCS or QQQ?
FSCS has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSCS or QQQ?
Over the past year FSCS returned -0.06% vs +25.89% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (9 years), FSCS annualized +7.50% vs +20.13% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSCS or QQQ?
FSCS and QQQ have been equally volatile, both at 19.6% annualized. Worst drawdown: FSCS -43.6% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FSCS and QQQ?
FSCS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.66, 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, FSCS or QQQ?
FSCS yields 0.98% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FSCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FSCS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSCS is less concentrated, with 11.8% 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.