FSZ vs QQQ
First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FSZ 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. FSZ is less concentrated, with 39.7% 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 | FSZ | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.80% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $36M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 82 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +0.10% | +15.86%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.33% | +22.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.57% | +24.15%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.05% | +14.16%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.3%Best | 17.4% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.4% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,793 | $19,390Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 39.7%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 14, 2012 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 16, 2012 to Sep 10, 2026 (14.6 years).
FSZ 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 14.6 years both funds cover.
FSZ vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Switzerland AlphaDEX Fund (FSZ) 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 FSZ returned +3.33% while QQQ returned +22.63%. Year to date, FSZ is up 0.10% versus a gain of 15.86% for QQQ.
Over three years, FSZ compounded at +11.57% per year against +24.15% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +5.05% and +14.16% respectively. Across the full 15-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +18.26% annualized vs +7.76%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.4% compared with 15.3% for FSZ. 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 -35.4% for FSZ 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 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FSZ charges 0.80% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $80 vs $18 annually, a gap of $62 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FSZ currently yields 2.01% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 40 holdings in FSZ 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 40 positions we hold weights for in FSZ and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 82 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 95 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FSZ (97.0% of the fund), and 0 for FSZ that do not appear in QQQ (0.0%).
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 FSZ 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, FSZ or QQQ?
FSZ has an expense ratio of 0.80% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $62 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FSZ or QQQ?
Over the past year FSZ returned +3.33% vs +22.63% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (15 years), FSZ annualized +7.76% vs +18.26% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FSZ or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 17.4% annualized versus 15.3% for FSZ. Worst drawdown: FSZ -35.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FSZ and QQQ?
FSZ and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, 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, FSZ or QQQ?
FSZ yields 2.01% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FSZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FSZ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FSZ is less concentrated, with 39.7% 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.