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QQQ vs. FXU
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QQQ vs. FXU

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

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

Performance

QQQ vs. FXU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 17.57% return, which is significantly higher than FXU's 8.19% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed FXU with an annualized return of 21.79%, while FXU has yielded a comparatively lower 9.38% annualized return.

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%

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

QQQ vs. FXU - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%
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%

Correlation

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

QQQ vs. FXU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QQQ
FXU

Technology

53.8%

-

Communication Services

15.8%

-

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%

-

Consumer Defensive

7.7%

-

Healthcare

4.2%

-

Industrials

2.8%
4.2%

Utilities

1.4%
92.0%

Basic Materials

1.1%

-

Energy

0.6%
3.7%

Financial Services

0.2%

-

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Technology

QQQ
53.8%
FXU

-

Communication Services

QQQ
15.8%
FXU

-

Consumer Cyclical

QQQ
12.3%
FXU

-

Consumer Defensive

QQQ
7.7%
FXU

-

Healthcare

QQQ
4.2%
FXU

-

Industrials

QQQ
2.8%
FXU
4.2%

Utilities

QQQ
1.4%
FXU
92.0%

Basic Materials

QQQ
1.1%
FXU

-

Energy

QQQ
0.6%
FXU
3.7%

Financial Services

QQQ
0.2%
FXU

-

Real Estate

QQQ
0.1%
FXU

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Invesco QQQ ETF

First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund

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Return for Risk

QQQ vs. FXU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ vs. FXU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

QQQFXUDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.09
1.26

+0.84

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
1.75

+0.98

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.21

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

1.93

+1.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

5.17

+6.05

QQQ vs. FXU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

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

QQQ vs. FXU - Drawdown Comparison

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

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Drawdown Indicators

QQQFXUDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.97%

-49.00%

-33.97%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.96%

-8.63%

-3.33%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.77%

-17.46%

-5.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.12%

-21.87%

-13.25%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.12%

-34.81%

-0.31%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.33%

-5.57%

+2.24%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.75%

-7.63%

-25.12%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.20%

3.22%

-0.02%

Volatility

QQQ vs. FXU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 7.56% compared to First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU) at 5.01%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FXU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QQQFXUDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.56%

5.01%

+2.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.81%

10.33%

+3.48%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.19%

13.30%

+3.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.55%

16.61%

+5.94%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.38%

18.34%

+4.04%

QQQ vs. FXU - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

QQQ vs. FXU - Dividend Comparison

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

QQQ and FXU 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, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs FXU's -49.00%.

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.

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

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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