FTXL vs QQQ
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, FTXL or QQQ?
Mid Cap Growth against Large Cap Growth.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.6%.
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 | FTXL | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.60% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $498.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.11% | 0.42% |
| Holdings | 70 | 321 |
| YTD Return | +77.70%Best | +21.69% |
| 1Y Return | +107.74%Best | +24.10% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +52.97%Best | +27.05% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +30.78%Best | +16.31% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 31.3% | 18.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.9% | -35.1%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $38,257Best | $21,286 |
| Top 10 Weight | 68.6% | 47.2%Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Growth | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 20, 2016 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 21, 2016 to Oct 13, 2026 (10.1 years).
FTXL 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 10.1 years both funds cover.
FTXL vs QQQ Performance
First Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF (FTXL) 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 FTXL returned +107.74% while QQQ returned +24.10%. Year to date, FTXL is up 77.70% versus a gain of 21.69% for QQQ.
Over three years, FTXL compounded at +52.97% per year against +27.05% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are +30.78% and +16.31% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, FTXL has the edge at +28.36% annualized vs +20.47%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
FTXL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 31.3% 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 -43.9% for FTXL 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 0.80. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
FTXL 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, FTXL currently yields 0.11% against 0.42% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
82.4% of FTXL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 31.2% of QQQ's money is in holdings FTXL also owns.
Most of FTXL is already inside QQQ. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
17 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 70 and 321.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 79 positions for QQQ that do not appear in our book for FTXL (66.6% of the fund), and 16 for FTXL that do not appear in QQQ (17.0%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in FTXL | Weight in QQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 12.80% | 4.85% | 7.95% |
| NVDANvidia Corp | 6.65% | 8.45% | 1.80% |
| INTCIntel Corporation | 11.88% | 2.28% | 9.60% |
| AMDAdvanced Micro Devices Inc | 6.79% | 3.71% | 3.08% |
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 6.10% | 2.74% | 3.36% |
| MRVLMarvell Technology Group Ltd. | 7.50% | 0.91% | 6.59% |
| QCOMQualcomm Inc. | 6.71% | 0.85% | 5.86% |
| LRCXLrcx Uw Equity | 3.44% | 1.64% | 1.80% |
| AMATApplied Materials, Inc. | 3.29% | 1.60% | 1.69% |
| TXNTexas Instrument Inc | 3.29% | 1.08% | 2.21% |
82.4% of FTXL is already inside QQQ.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FTXL or QQQ?
FTXL 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, FTXL or QQQ?
Over the past year FTXL returned +107.74% vs +24.10% for QQQ, so FTXL leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), FTXL annualized +28.36% vs +20.47% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, FTXL or QQQ?
FTXL has been the more volatile fund at 31.3% annualized versus 18.9% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: FTXL -43.9% vs QQQ -35.1%.
Should I hold both FTXL and QQQ?
FTXL and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.80, 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 FTXL and QQQ?
82.4% of FTXL's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 31.2% of QQQ's is in holdings FTXL also owns. They hold 17 positions in common, counted across the 34 positions we hold weights for in FTXL and 102 in QQQ.
Which pays a higher dividend, FTXL or QQQ?
FTXL yields 0.11% while QQQ yields 0.42%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than FTXL?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. FTXL led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. QQQ is less concentrated, with 47.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 68.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.