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FDN vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FDN vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

FDN (First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FDN is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones Internet Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FDN returned 13.85%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. FDN charges 0.52%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

FDN vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FDN achieves a -3.99% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, FDN has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.85%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.07% annualized return.

FDN

1D
-0.49%
1M
-5.63%
YTD
-3.99%
6M
-4.90%
1Y
0.72%
3Y*
17.44%
5Y*
1.19%
10Y*
13.85%

QQQ

1D
-3.29%
1M
-0.43%
YTD
16.45%
6M
14.99%
1Y
34.88%
3Y*
26.05%
5Y*
16.01%
10Y*
22.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FDN vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FDN
First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index		-3.99%10.70%30.35%51.48%-45.54%6.55%52.55%19.25%6.17%37.64%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		16.45%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FDN and QQQ is 0.74, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.74

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.82

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.86

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.88

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2006

0.87

The correlation between FDN and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.74 (1 year) to 0.88 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FDN vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FDN
QQQ

Technology

43.1%
58.7%

Communication Services

27.0%
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

25.5%
11.4%

Financial Services

2.0%
0.2%

Industrials

1.3%
2.6%

Healthcare

1.2%
3.7%

Basic Materials

-

1.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

6.4%

Energy

-

0.5%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Utilities

-

1.2%

Technology

FDN
43.1%
QQQ
58.7%

Communication Services

FDN
27.0%
QQQ
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

FDN
25.5%
QQQ
11.4%

Financial Services

FDN
2.0%
QQQ
0.2%

Industrials

FDN
1.3%
QQQ
2.6%

Healthcare

FDN
1.2%
QQQ
3.7%

Basic Materials

FDN

-

QQQ
1.0%

Consumer Defensive

FDN

-

QQQ
6.4%

Energy

FDN

-

QQQ
0.5%

Real Estate

FDN

-

QQQ
0.1%

Utilities

FDN

-

QQQ
1.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index

Invesco QQQ ETF

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Return for Risk

FDN vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FDN
FDN Risk / Return Rank: 99
Overall Rank
FDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
Sortino Ratio Rank
FDN Omega Ratio Rank: 99
Omega Ratio Rank
FDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
Calmar Ratio Rank
FDN Martin Ratio Rank: 99
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FDN vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

FDNQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.04
1.95

-1.92

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.18
2.57

-2.38

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.02

1.35

-0.32

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.03

2.93

-2.89

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.09

10.86

-10.78

FDN vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FDN Sharpe Ratio is 0.04, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FDN and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

FDN vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FDN drawdown since its inception was -61.55%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FDN and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

FDNQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.55%

-82.97%

+21.42%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-21.31%

-11.96%

-9.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-24.98%

-22.77%

-2.21%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-53.97%

-35.12%

-18.85%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-53.97%

-35.12%

-18.85%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-10.81%

-4.25%

-6.56%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.81%

-32.73%

+20.92%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

8.54%

3.22%

+5.32%

Volatility

FDN vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) is 7.48%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that FDN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

FDNQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.48%

9.17%

-1.69%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

15.51%

14.57%

+0.94%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.77%

17.96%

+1.81%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

27.36%

22.69%

+4.67%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.63%

22.42%

+3.21%

FDN vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FDN has a 0.52% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

FDN vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

FDN has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FDN
First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index		0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.43%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

FDN and QQQ have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to FDN (7.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FDN dropped -61.55% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.07% vs 13.85% for FDN. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, FDN has been the lower-risk option at 7.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 22.07% return vs 13.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.52% for FDN.

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.00% for FDN.

FDN is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. FDN tracks Dow Jones Internet Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.52% for FDN and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.04), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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