FSTA vs QQQ
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FSTA or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
FSTA has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%.
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 | FSTA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $1.4B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.17% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 98 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +9.54% | +17.54%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.25% | +25.59%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.02% | +24.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +6.54% | +14.18%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.4%Best | 18.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -25.7%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,727 | $19,407Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 61.7% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | Fidelity Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Oct 21, 2013 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Oct 24, 2013 to Sep 4, 2026 (12.9 years).
FSTA 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 12.9 years both funds cover.
FSTA vs QQQ Performance
Fidelity MSCI Consumer Staples Index ETF (FSTA) is an ETF from Fidelity Investments (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FSTA returned +6.25% while QQQ returned +25.59%. Year to date, FSTA is up 9.54% versus a gain of 17.54% for QQQ.
Over three years, FSTA compounded at +9.02% per year against +24.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +6.54% and +14.18% respectively. Across the full 13-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.65% annualized vs +7.02%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.0% compared with 12.4% for FSTA. 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 -25.7% for FSTA 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSTA charges 0.08% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $18 annually, a gap of $10 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSTA currently yields 2.17% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
36.4% of FSTA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 6.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings FSTA also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
7 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 98 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 89 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FSTA (91.4% of the fund), and 83 for FSTA that do not appear in QQQ (62.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FSTA | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 13.58% | 2.41% | 11.17% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 11.36% | 1.84% | 9.52% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 4.20% | 0.83% | 3.37% |
| MDLZMondelez International Inc Com A Npv | 2.67% | 0.35% | 2.32% |
| MNSTMonster Beverage Corp. | 2.31% | 0.41% | 1.90% |
| KDPKeurig Dr Pepper, Inc. | 1.41% | 0.18% | 1.23% |
| KHCKraft Heinz Co. | 0.86% | 0.13% | 0.73% |
36.4% of FSTA is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FSTA or QQQ?
FSTA has an expense ratio of 0.08% while QQQ charges 0.18%. FSTA is the cheaper option, by $10 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSTA or QQQ?
Over the past year FSTA returned +6.25% vs +25.59% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (13 years), FSTA annualized +7.02% vs +18.65% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSTA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.0% annualized versus 12.4% for FSTA. Worst drawdown: FSTA -25.7% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FSTA and QQQ?
FSTA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, 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 FSTA and QQQ?
36.4% of FSTA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 6.2% of QQQ's is in holdings FSTA also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 93 positions we hold weights for in FSTA and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FSTA or QQQ?
FSTA yields 2.17% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FSTA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FSTA?
FSTA has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 61.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.