FTCS vs QQQ
First Trust Capital Strength ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FTCS or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.4% 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 | FTCS | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.53% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $7.9B | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 102 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +5.28% | +17.21%Best |
| 1Y Return | +5.63% | +22.10%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.69% | +25.27%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +5.88% | +14.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.6%Best | 18.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.1% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $13,307 | $19,766Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 22.4%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jul 6, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jul 11, 2006 to Sep 17, 2026 (20.2 years).
FTCS 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 20.2 years both funds cover.
FTCS vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Capital Strength ETF (FTCS) 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 FTCS returned +5.63% while QQQ returned +22.10%. Year to date, FTCS is up 5.28% versus a gain of 17.21% for QQQ.
Over three years, FTCS compounded at +9.69% per year against +25.27% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +5.88% and +14.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.90% annualized vs +8.52%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.6% compared with 15.6% for FTCS. 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 -54.1% for FTCS 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 0.79. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTCS charges 0.53% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $53 vs $18 annually, a gap of $35 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTCS currently yields 1.06% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
30.5% of FTCS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 17.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTCS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
15 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 102 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 81 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FTCS (79.7% of the fund), and 35 for FTCS that do not appear in QQQ (69.3%).
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 FTCS | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAPLApple, Inc | 1.83% | 7.27% | 5.44% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 1.77% | 2.41% | 0.64% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 1.93% | 1.84% | 0.09% |
| AMGNAmgen Inc. | 2.26% | 0.97% | 1.29% |
| LINLinde Plc Ordinary Shares | 1.84% | 1.00% | 0.84% |
| GILDGilead Sciences | 2.10% | 0.72% | 1.38% |
| PEPPepsico Inc. | 1.97% | 0.83% | 1.14% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 2.42% | 0.28% | 2.14% |
| VRTXNvaesrtex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 2.16% | 0.54% | 1.62% |
| ADPAutomatic Data Processing, Inc. | 2.16% | 0.47% | 1.69% |
30.5% of FTCS 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, FTCS or QQQ?
FTCS has an expense ratio of 0.53% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $35 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTCS or QQQ?
Over the past year FTCS returned +5.63% vs +22.10% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FTCS annualized +8.52% vs +15.90% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTCS or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 15.6% for FTCS. Worst drawdown: FTCS -54.1% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FTCS and QQQ?
FTCS and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.79, 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 FTCS and QQQ?
30.5% of FTCS's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 17.8% of QQQ's is in holdings FTCS also owns. They hold 15 positions in common, counted across the 50 positions we hold weights for in FTCS and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTCS or QQQ?
FTCS yields 1.06% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FTCS currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FTCS?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FTCS is less concentrated, with 22.4% 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.