FTA vs QQQ
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FTA or QQQ?
Large Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTA led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTA is less concentrated, with 10.4% 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 | FTA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.61% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 376 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +20.10%Best | +17.33% |
| 1Y Return | +28.07%Best | +26.50% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +18.12% | +24.58%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.28% | +14.15%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.9%Tie | 18.9%Tie |
| Max Drawdown | -63.8% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,064 | $19,381Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.4%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 11, 2007 to Sep 3, 2026 (19.3 years).
FTA 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FTA vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Large Cap Value AlphaDEX Fund (FTA) 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 FTA returned +28.07% while QQQ returned +26.50%. Year to date, FTA is up 20.10% versus a gain of 17.33% for QQQ.
Over three years, FTA compounded at +18.12% per year against +24.58% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.28% and +14.15% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.38% annualized vs +7.23%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTA and QQQ have been equally volatile, both at 18.9% annualized.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -63.8% for FTA and -53.5% 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 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTA charges 0.58% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $58 vs $18 annually, a gap of $40 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTA currently yields 1.61% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
9.6% of FTA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 6.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTA also owns.
FTA and QQQ share little of their money.
18 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTA and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 376 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 78 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FTA (91.2% of the fund), and 165 for FTA that do not appear in QQQ (87.5%).
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 FTA | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TMUST-Mobile Us Inc Com Usd0.00001 | 0.71% | 0.82% | 0.11% |
| PYPLPaypay Holdings, Inc. | 1.14% | 0.22% | 0.92% |
| CMCSAComcast Corp-class A Cmcsa | 0.86% | 0.39% | 0.47% |
| REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 0.84% | 0.35% | 0.49% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 0.16% | 1.00% | 0.84% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 0.17% | 0.83% | 0.66% |
| ROPRoper Technologies Inc. | 0.80% | 0.17% | 0.63% |
| FANGDiamondback Energy, Inc. | 0.72% | 0.23% | 0.49% |
| EXCExelon | 0.67% | 0.21% | 0.46% |
| BKRBaker Hughes Co | 0.55% | 0.27% | 0.28% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTA 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, FTA or QQQ?
FTA has an expense ratio of 0.58% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $40 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTA or QQQ?
Over the past year FTA returned +28.07% vs +26.50% for QQQ, so FTA leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FTA annualized +7.23% vs +15.38% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTA or QQQ?
FTA and QQQ have been equally volatile, both at 18.9% annualized. Worst drawdown: FTA -63.8% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FTA and QQQ?
FTA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 FTA and QQQ?
9.6% of FTA's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 6.4% of QQQ's is in holdings FTA also owns. They hold 18 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTA and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTA or QQQ?
FTA yields 1.61% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FTA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FTA?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTA led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTA is less concentrated, with 10.4% 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.