FTXH vs QQQ
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FTXH or QQQ?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTXH led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.3%.
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 | FTXH | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.1B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.03% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 100 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +23.51%Best | +22.67% |
| 1Y Return | +39.10%Best | +24.33% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.02% | +29.05%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +11.38% | +17.00%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.2%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -32.1%Best | -35.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $17,141 | $21,924Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 52.3% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2016 to Oct 2, 2026 (10 years).
FTXH 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 10 years both funds cover.
FTXH vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Pharmaceuticals ETF (FTXH) 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 FTXH returned +39.10% while QQQ returned +24.33%. Year to date, FTXH is up 23.51% versus a gain of 22.67% for QQQ.
Over three years, FTXH compounded at +19.02% per year against +29.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +11.38% and +17.00% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.54% annualized vs +7.93%.
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 15.2% for FTXH. 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 -32.1% for FTXH 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 0.51. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXH charges 0.60% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $60 vs $18 annually, a gap of $42 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FTXH currently yields 1.03% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
10.0% of FTXH's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTXH also owns.
FTXH and QQQ share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FTXH and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 100 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 92 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FTXH (95.6% of the fund), and 42 for FTXH that do not appear in QQQ (84.7%).
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 FTXH 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, FTXH or QQQ?
FTXH has an expense ratio of 0.60% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $42 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FTXH or QQQ?
Over the past year FTXH returned +39.10% vs +24.33% for QQQ, so FTXH leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXH annualized +7.93% vs +20.54% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXH or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 15.2% for FTXH. Worst drawdown: FTXH -32.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FTXH and QQQ?
FTXH and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.51, 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 FTXH and QQQ?
10.0% of FTXH's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.2% of QQQ's is in holdings FTXH also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 49 positions we hold weights for in FTXH and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXH or QQQ?
FTXH yields 1.03% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so FTXH currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FTXH?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTXH led over 1Y, QQQ over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 52.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.