FXD vs QQQ
First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FXD or QQQ?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXD is less concentrated, with 16.1% 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 | FXD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $267M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.60% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 226 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -2.58% | +17.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | -4.05% | +24.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.86% | +24.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.90% | +14.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.3% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -65.7% | -53.5%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,537 | $19,441Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 16.1%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 8, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 10, 2007 to Sep 8, 2026 (19.3 years).
FXD 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 19.3 years both funds cover.
FXD vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Consumer Discretionary AlphaDEX Fund (FXD) 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 FXD returned -4.05% while QQQ returned +24.69%. Year to date, FXD is down 2.58% versus a gain of 17.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, FXD compounded at +8.86% per year against +24.76% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +2.90% and +14.22% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.45% annualized vs +6.69%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FXD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.3% compared with 18.9% 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 -65.7% for FXD 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXD 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, FXD currently yields 0.60% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
5.2% of FXD's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 10.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings FXD also owns.
QQQ and FXD share little of their money.
9 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in FXD and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 226 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 85 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FXD (86.0% of the fund), and 99 for FXD that do not appear in QQQ (91.9%).
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 FXD | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMZNAmazon.Com Inc | 0.67% | 4.67% | 4.00% |
| WMTWalmart, Inc. | 0.28% | 2.41% | 2.13% |
| COSTCostco Wholesale Corp. | 0.28% | 1.84% | 1.56% |
| ROSTRoss Stores, Inc. | 1.00% | 0.36% | 0.64% |
| CPRTCopart Inc | 1.20% | 0.12% | 1.08% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp 2.45 6/26 | 0.60% | 0.53% | 0.07% |
| MARMarriott International, Inc. | 0.57% | 0.42% | 0.15% |
| ABNBAirbnb Inc | 0.30% | 0.28% | 0.02% |
| TTWOTake-Two Interactive Software, Inc. | 0.26% | 0.19% | 0.07% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FXD 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, FXD or QQQ?
FXD 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, FXD or QQQ?
Over the past year FXD returned -4.05% vs +24.69% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXD annualized +6.69% vs +15.45% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXD or QQQ?
FXD has been the more volatile fund at 22.3% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FXD -65.7% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FXD and QQQ?
FXD and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, 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 FXD and QQQ?
10.8% of QQQ's money is in holdings FXD also owns. 10.8% of QQQ's is in holdings FXD also owns. They hold 9 positions in common, counted across the 112 positions we hold weights for in FXD and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXD or QQQ?
FXD yields 0.60% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FXD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FXD?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXD is less concentrated, with 16.1% 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.