FNDB vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

FNDB (Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FNDB is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US All Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FNDB returned 14.04%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FNDB charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

FNDB vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FNDB achieves a 14.63% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, FNDB has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 14.04%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

FNDB

• 1D: 0.50%
• 1M: 3.23%
• YTD: 14.63%
• 6M: 15.52%
• 1Y: 33.19%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 12.51%
• 10Y*: 14.04%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FNDB vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	14.63%	16.23%	16.25%	18.42%	-7.53%	31.55%	9.40%	28.88%	-8.20%	16.94%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FNDB and QQQ is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 16, 2013	0.72

The correlation between FNDB and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

FNDB vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	FNDB	QQQ
Technology	18.8%	53.8%
Financial Services	14.1%	0.2%
Healthcare	11.6%	4.2%
Industrials	10.0%	2.8%
Energy	10.0%	0.6%
Communication Services	9.7%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.2%	7.7%
Basic Materials	3.8%	1.1%
Utilities	3.1%	1.4%
Real Estate	2.4%	0.1%

Return for Risk

FNDB vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FNDB

FNDB Risk / Return Rank: 89
FNDB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
FNDB Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
FNDB Omega Ratio Rank: 89
FNDB Calmar Ratio Rank: 89
FNDB Martin Ratio Rank: 89

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

FNDB vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB) 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.

	FNDB	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.11	2.73	+0.38
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.34	3.55	+0.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.57	1.47	+0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.32	3.71	+1.61
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	20.48	14.30	+6.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FNDB vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNDB Sharpe Ratio is 3.11, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNDB 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FNDB	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.11	2.73	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82	0.83	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.81	0.99	-0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.41	+0.38

Drawdowns

FNDB vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNDB drawdown since its inception was -38.17%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNDB and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNDB	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.17%	-82.97%	+44.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.29%	-11.96%	+5.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.83%	-22.77%	+5.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.29%	-35.12%	+15.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.17%	-35.12%	-3.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.66%	-32.79%	+29.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.63%	3.11%	-1.48%

Volatility

FNDB vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF (FNDB) is 2.51%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that FNDB 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.

Volatility by Period

	FNDB	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.51%	4.48%	-1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.62%	12.11%	-4.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.72%	15.95%	-5.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.36%	22.39%	-7.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.48%	22.30%	-4.82%

FNDB vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FNDB has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

FNDB vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

FNDB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.44%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNDB Schwab Fundamental U.S. Broad Market Index ETF	1.44%	1.62%	1.74%	1.80%	1.98%	1.63%	2.15%	2.23%	2.41%	1.91%	2.06%	2.26%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	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

Can I hold both FNDB and QQQ in my portfolio?

FNDB and QQQ have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNDB or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to FNDB (2.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNDB dropped -38.17% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, FNDB or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.97% vs 14.04% for FNDB. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, FNDB has been the lower-risk option at 2.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FNDB or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.97% return vs 14.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FNDB or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for FNDB.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, FNDB or QQQ?

FNDB has the higher dividend yield at 1.44%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between FNDB and QQQ?

FNDB is categorized as Large Cap Value Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. FNDB tracks RAFI Fundamental High Liquidity US All Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Charles Schwab and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for FNDB and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FNDB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.11 vs 2.73), 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.