FXA vs QQQ
Invesco CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FXA or QQQ?
Single Currency against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | FXA | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $96M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.02% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 3 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +7.35% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.01% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.68% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +0.49% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 12.3%Best | 18.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -47.9%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,247 | $20,324Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Single Currency | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jun 21, 2006 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2006 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.2 years).
FXA 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
FXA vs QQQ Performance
Invesco CurrencyShares Australian Dollar Trust (FXA) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FXA returned +9.01% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, FXA is up 7.35% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, FXA compounded at +4.68% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +0.49% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.81% annualized vs +0.04%.
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 12.3% for FXA. 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 -47.9% for FXA 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 0.50. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXA charges 0.40% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $40 vs $18 annually, a gap of $22 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXA currently yields 1.02% against 0.44% for QQQ.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXA 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, FXA or QQQ?
FXA has an expense ratio of 0.40% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $22 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXA or QQQ?
Over the past year FXA returned +9.01% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), FXA annualized +0.04% vs +15.81% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXA or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.6% annualized versus 12.3% for FXA. Worst drawdown: FXA -47.9% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FXA and QQQ?
FXA and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.50, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXA or QQQ?
FXA yields 1.02% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FXA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FXA?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.