FXU vs QQQ
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FXU or QQQ?
Mid Cap Value against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXU is less concentrated, with 41.0% 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 | FXU | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.61% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $798M | $486.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.19% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 82 | 107 |
| YTD Return | +5.48% | +17.44%Best |
| 1Y Return | +12.19% | +24.69%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.16% | +24.76%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +10.79% | +14.22%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.5%Best | 18.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -51.5%Best | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $16,692 | $19,441Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.0%Best | 46.5% |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Value | 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).
FXU 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.
FXU vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) 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 FXU returned +12.19% while QQQ returned +24.69%. Year to date, FXU is up 5.48% versus a gain of 17.44% for QQQ.
Over three years, FXU compounded at +19.16% per year against +24.76% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +10.79% and +14.22% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.45% annualized vs +5.30%.
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 14.5% for FXU. 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 -51.5% for FXU 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 0.49. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FXU charges 0.61% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $61 vs $18 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, FXU currently yields 2.19% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
10.0% of FXU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.1% of QQQ's money is in holdings FXU also owns.
FXU and QQQ share little of their money.
4 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FXU and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 82 and 107.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 90 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FXU (95.7% of the fund), and 34 for FXU that do not appear in QQQ (88.0%).
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 FXU 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, FXU or QQQ?
FXU has an expense ratio of 0.61% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $43 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, FXU or QQQ?
Over the past year FXU returned +12.19% vs +24.69% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), FXU annualized +5.30% vs +15.45% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FXU or QQQ?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.9% annualized versus 14.5% for FXU. Worst drawdown: FXU -51.5% vs QQQ -53.5%.
Should I hold both FXU and QQQ?
FXU and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.49, 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 FXU and QQQ?
10.0% of FXU's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 1.1% of QQQ's is in holdings FXU also owns. They hold 4 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FXU and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FXU or QQQ?
FXU yields 2.19% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so FXU currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FXU?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. FXU is less concentrated, with 41.0% 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.