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FXU vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

FXU vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FXU (First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FXU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the StrataQuant Utilities Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, FXU returned 9.38%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FXU charges 0.62%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

FXU vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) 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, FXU achieves a 8.19% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, FXU has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 9.38%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.

FXU

1D
0.87%
1M
0.66%
YTD
8.19%
6M
8.80%
1Y
17.67%
3Y*
17.64%
5Y*
11.71%
10Y*
9.38%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.22%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
37.55%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FXU vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		8.19%21.86%22.50%-2.12%3.68%17.67%1.53%11.67%5.43%0.98%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FXU and QQQ is -0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

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

-0.00

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

0.13

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

0.26

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

0.29

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 10, 2007

0.42

The correlation between FXU and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

FXU vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
FXU
QQQ

Utilities

92.0%
1.4%

Industrials

4.2%
2.8%

Energy

3.7%
0.6%

Basic Materials

-

1.1%

Communication Services

-

15.8%

Consumer Cyclical

-

12.3%

Consumer Defensive

-

7.7%

Financial Services

-

0.2%

Healthcare

-

4.2%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Technology

-

53.8%

Utilities

FXU
92.0%
QQQ
1.4%

Industrials

FXU
4.2%
QQQ
2.8%

Energy

FXU
3.7%
QQQ
0.6%

Basic Materials

FXU

-

QQQ
1.1%

Communication Services

FXU

-

QQQ
15.8%

Consumer Cyclical

FXU

-

QQQ
12.3%

Consumer Defensive

FXU

-

QQQ
7.7%

Financial Services

FXU

-

QQQ
0.2%

Healthcare

FXU

-

QQQ
4.2%

Real Estate

FXU

-

QQQ
0.1%

Technology

FXU

-

QQQ
53.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund

Invesco QQQ ETF

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Return for Risk

FXU vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
FXU
FXU Risk / Return Rank: 3939
Overall Rank
FXU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4040
Sharpe Ratio Rank
FXU Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
FXU Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
FXU Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
FXU Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
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.

FXU vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) 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.

FXUQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.26
2.09

-0.84

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.75
2.73

-0.98

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.21

1.37

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.93

3.01

-1.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.17

11.22

-6.05

FXU vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FXU Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FXU 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

FXU vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FXU drawdown since its inception was -49.00%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FXU and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

FXUQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-49.00%

-82.97%

+33.97%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.63%

-11.96%

+3.33%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.46%

-22.77%

+5.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.87%

-35.12%

+13.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.81%

-35.12%

+0.31%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.57%

-3.33%

-2.24%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.63%

-32.75%

+25.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.22%

3.20%

+0.02%

Volatility

FXU vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) is 5.01%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that FXU 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

FXUQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.01%

7.56%

-2.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.33%

13.81%

-3.48%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.30%

17.19%

-3.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.61%

22.55%

-5.94%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.34%

22.38%

-4.04%

FXU vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FXU has a 0.62% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

FXU vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

FXU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.16%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
FXU
First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund		2.16%2.29%2.41%2.52%2.03%2.00%3.97%2.34%2.40%3.81%2.62%3.90%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%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

FXU and QQQ have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to FXU (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FXU dropped -49.00% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 9.38% for FXU. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, FXU has been the lower-risk option at 5.01%. 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 21.79% return vs 9.38%. 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 0.62% for FXU.

FXU has the higher dividend yield at 2.16%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

FXU is categorized as Utilities Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. FXU tracks StrataQuant Utilities Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.62% for FXU and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.26), 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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