FRTY vs QQQ
Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FRTY or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth 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 | FRTY | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $151M | $506.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.17% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 43 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +4.13% | +19.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -2.01% | +22.47%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +22.26% | +26.18%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.02% | +15.42%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.9% | 20.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -53.1% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,990 | $20,484Best |
| Fund Family | Alger | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Feb 26, 2021 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Mar 1, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.6 years).
FRTY 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
FRTY vs QQQ Performance
Alger Mid Cap 40 ETF (FRTY) is an ETF from Alger and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year FRTY returned -2.01% while QQQ returned +22.47%. Year to date, FRTY is up 4.13% versus a gain of 19.30% for QQQ.
Over three years, FRTY compounded at +22.26% per year against +26.18% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -0.02% and +15.42% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +16.23% annualized vs +2.43%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FRTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.9% compared with 20.3% 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 -53.1% for FRTY 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 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FRTY 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, FRTY currently yields 0.17% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings FRTY also owns.
Stated as a floor: for FRTY, our book for it covers 90.9% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
QQQ and FRTY share little of their money.
8 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FRTY and 101 in QQQ, against full books of 43 and 321.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FRTY | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SNPSSynopsys | 3.49% | 0.35% | 3.14% |
| MPWRMonolithic Power Systems Inc | 3.04% | 0.28% | 2.76% |
| DDOGDatadog Inc | 2.30% | 0.38% | 1.92% |
| AXONAxon Enterprise Inc | 2.12% | 0.14% | 1.98% |
| MCHPMicrochip Technology Inc. | 1.90% | 0.18% | 1.72% |
| WDCWestern Digital Corp. | 1.15% | 0.68% | 0.47% |
| ALABAstera Labs Inc - Common | 1.48% | 0.26% | 1.22% |
| RKLBRocket Lab Corp | 1.25% | 0.17% | 1.08% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of FRTY 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, FRTY or QQQ?
FRTY 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, FRTY or QQQ?
Over the past year FRTY returned -2.01% vs +22.47% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), FRTY annualized +2.43% vs +16.23% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FRTY or QQQ?
FRTY has been the more volatile fund at 22.9% annualized versus 20.3% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FRTY -53.1% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FRTY and QQQ?
FRTY and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 FRTY and QQQ?
At least 2.4% of QQQ's money is in holdings FRTY also owns. Our book for FRTY is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 8 positions in common, counted across the 40 positions we hold weights for in FRTY and 101 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FRTY or QQQ?
FRTY yields 0.17% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FRTY?
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.