FT vs QQQ
Franklin Universal Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FT or QQQ?
Debt-oriented balanced against Large Cap Growth.
FT 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 | FT | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.00%Best | 0.18% |
| AUM | $212M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.95% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 704 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -3.61% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.54% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.23% | +25.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.35% | +14.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.1%Best | 30.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -67.6%Best | -83.0% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,373 | $19,766Best |
| Fund Family | Franklin Templeton Investments (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Equity |
| Style | Debt-oriented balanced | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 23, 1988 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 10, 1999 to Sep 17, 2026 (27.5 years).
FT 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FT vs QQQ Performance
Franklin Universal Trust (FT) is an ETF from Franklin Templeton Investments (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FT returned +0.54% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, FT is down 3.61% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, FT compounded at +10.23% per year against +25.27% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +4.35% and +14.60% respectively. Across the full 28-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +13.02% annualized vs +0.71%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.6% compared with 16.1% for FT. 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 -67.6% for FT and -83.0% 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 0.30. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FT charges 0.00% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $0 vs $18 annually, a gap of $18 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FT currently yields 5.95% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings FT also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for FT, our book for it lists positions totalling 114.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
QQQ and FT share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 158 days apart, FT as of Feb 28, 2026 and QQQ as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
4 positions in common, counted across the 307 positions we hold weights for in FT and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 704 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FT 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, FT or QQQ?
FT has an expense ratio of 0.00% while QQQ charges 0.18%. FT is the cheaper option, by $18 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FT or QQQ?
Over the past year FT returned +0.54% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (28 years), FT annualized +0.71% vs +13.02% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FT or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 30.6% annualized versus 16.1% for FT. Worst drawdown: FT -67.6% vs QQQ -83.0%.
Should I hold both FT and QQQ?
FT and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.30, 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 FT and QQQ?
At least 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings FT also owns. Our book for FT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 307 positions we hold weights for in FT and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FT or QQQ?
FT yields 5.95% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FT?
FT 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.