FTXN vs QQQ
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FTXN or QQQ?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%.
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 | FTXN | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $164M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.73% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 88 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +45.55%Best | +16.87% |
| 1Y Return | +47.84%Best | +22.98% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.68% | +24.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +22.24%Best | +14.39% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 32.2% | 19.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -74.4% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $27,294Best | $19,586 |
| Top 10 Weight | 55.2% | 46.5%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 23, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10 years).
FTXN 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.
FTXN vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Oil & Gas ETF (FTXN) 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 FTXN returned +47.84% while QQQ returned +22.98%. Year to date, FTXN is up 45.55% versus a gain of 16.87% for QQQ.
Over three years, FTXN compounded at +12.68% per year against +24.98% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +22.24% and +14.39% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.17% annualized vs +8.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXN has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 32.2% compared with 19.0% for QQQ. 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 -74.4% for FTXN 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXN 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, FTXN currently yields 1.73% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
5.4% of FTXN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.5% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTXN also owns.
FTXN and QQQ share little of their money.
2 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 88 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 93 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FTXN (96.5% of the fund), and 38 for FTXN that do not appear in QQQ (92.2%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FTXN 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, FTXN or QQQ?
FTXN 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, FTXN or QQQ?
Over the past year FTXN returned +47.84% vs +22.98% for QQQ, so FTXN leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXN annualized +8.95% vs +20.17% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXN or QQQ?
FTXN has been the more volatile fund at 32.2% annualized versus 19.0% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FTXN -74.4% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FTXN and QQQ?
FTXN and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, 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 FTXN and QQQ?
5.4% of FTXN's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 0.5% of QQQ's is in holdings FTXN also owns. They hold 2 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in FTXN and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXN or QQQ?
FTXN yields 1.73% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FTXN currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FTXN?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTXN led over 1Y and 5Y, QQQ over 3Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 46.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 55.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.