QQQ vs RFDI
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs First Trust RiverFront Dynamic Developed International ETF
Which is better, QQQ or RFDI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, RFDI over 1Y. RFDI is less concentrated, with 22.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%.
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 | QQQ | RFDI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.83% |
| AUM | $506.1B | $168M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 3.08% |
| Holdings | 321 | 157 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -42.4% |
| $10,000 over 10.4 years | $66,486Best | $22,157 |
| Top 10 Weight | 46.7% | 22.7%Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Apr 14, 2016 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized).
The two price series end 34 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. QQQ has data through Oct 15, 2026 and RFDI through Sep 11, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 10.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 14, 2016 to Sep 11, 2026 (10.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.8% compared with 15.3% for RFDI. 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -42.4% for RFDI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.72. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while RFDI charges 0.83%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $83 annually, a gap of $65 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 3.08% for RFDI.
Holdings Overlap
0.7% of QQQ's money is in holdings RFDI also owns. 2.2% of RFDI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns.
RFDI and QQQ share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 57 days apart, QQQ as of Oct 1, 2026 and RFDI as of Aug 5, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
1 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 147 in RFDI, against full books of 321 and 157.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 7 positions for RFDI that do not appear in our book for QQQ (4.7% of the fund), and 94 for QQQ that do not appear in RFDI (97.2%).
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 QQQ | Weight in RFDI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASML:ASASML HOLDING NV | 0.71% | 2.23% | 1.52% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and RFDI 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, QQQ or RFDI?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while RFDI charges 0.83%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $65 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, QQQ or RFDI?
QQQ has been the more volatile fund at 18.8% annualized versus 15.3% for RFDI. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs RFDI -42.4%.
Should I hold both QQQ and RFDI?
QQQ and RFDI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.72, 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 QQQ and RFDI?
2.2% of RFDI's money is in holdings QQQ also owns. 2.2% of RFDI's is in holdings QQQ also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 147 in RFDI.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or RFDI?
QQQ yields 0.42% while RFDI yields 3.08%, so RFDI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFDI better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over the full window, RFDI over 1Y. RFDI is less concentrated, with 22.7% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 46.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.