FTC vs QQQ
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FTC or QQQ?
QQQ has been ahead.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTC is less concentrated, with 10.0% 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 | FTC | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.58% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.3B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.15% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 376 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +10.69% | +21.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.87% | +25.89%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.62% | +28.80%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.65% | +15.67%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.4%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.5% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,851 | $20,706Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 10.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | 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 25, 2026 (19.4 years).
FTC 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
FTC vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Large Cap Growth AlphaDEX Fund (FTC) 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 FTC returned +12.87% while QQQ returned +25.89%. Year to date, FTC is up 10.69% versus a gain of 21.71% for QQQ.
Over three years, FTC compounded at +23.62% per year against +28.80% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +9.65% and +15.67% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.55% annualized vs +9.80%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.9% compared with 17.4% for FTC. 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 -54.5% for FTC 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 0.89. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTC 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, FTC currently yields 0.15% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
25.7% of FTC's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 62.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTC also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
45 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 376 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 51 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FTC (35.5% of the fund), and 136 for FTC that do not appear in QQQ (71.2%).
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 FTC | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 0.62% | 8.44% | 7.82% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 0.62% | 7.27% | 6.65% |
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.62% | 4.67% | 4.05% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 0.80% | 4.43% | 3.63% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 0.78% | 3.45% | 2.67% |
| GOOGLAlphabet Inc,class A | 0.73% | 3.36% | 2.63% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 0.55% | 3.16% | 2.61% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 0.19% | 2.78% | 2.59% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 0.73% | 2.10% | 1.37% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 0.36% | 2.41% | 2.05% |
62.0% of QQQ is already inside FTC.
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, FTC or QQQ?
FTC 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, FTC or QQQ?
Over the past year FTC returned +12.87% vs +25.89% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FTC annualized +9.80% vs +15.55% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTC or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 17.4% for FTC. Worst drawdown: FTC -54.5% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FTC and QQQ?
FTC and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.89, 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 FTC and QQQ?
62.0% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTC also owns. 62.0% of QQQ's is in holdings FTC also owns. They hold 45 positions in common, counted across the 187 positions we hold weights for in FTC and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTC or QQQ?
FTC yields 0.15% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FTC?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTC is less concentrated, with 10.0% 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.