XPND vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XPND (First Trust Expanded Technology ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XPND is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by First Trust, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. XPND is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XPND returned 28.18%/yr vs 28.78%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XPND charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

XPND vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) 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, XPND achieves a 16.32% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

XPND

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: 12.34%
• YTD: 16.32%
• 6M: 15.44%
• 1Y: 32.11%
• 3Y*: 28.18%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

XPND vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	16.32%	18.82%	29.61%	46.13%	-29.66%	15.05%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	16.65%

Correlation

The correlation between XPND and QQQ is 0.91, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2021	0.95

The correlation between XPND and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

XPND vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XPND	QQQ
Technology	76.5%	53.8%
Communication Services	15.7%	15.8%
Financial Services	5.9%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

XPND vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

XPND

XPND Risk / Return Rank: 45
XPND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
XPND Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XPND Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
XPND Martin Ratio Rank: 36

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

XPND vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) 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.

	XPND	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	2.64	-0.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.42	3.45	-1.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.45	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.86	3.51	-1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.46	13.49	-8.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XPND vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XPND Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XPND 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

	XPND	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.81	2.64	-0.83
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.41	+0.28

Drawdowns

XPND vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XPND drawdown since its inception was -38.00%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XPND and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XPND	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.00%	-82.97%	+44.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.38%	-11.96%	-5.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.37%	-22.77%	-0.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-0.26%	-0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.07%	-32.79%	+22.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.90%	3.11%	+2.79%

Volatility

XPND vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Expanded Technology ETF (XPND) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 4.57% and 4.49%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XPND	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.57%	4.49%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.02%	12.10%	+1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.86%	15.94%	+1.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.88%	22.38%	+1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.88%	22.29%	+1.59%

XPND vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XPND has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

XPND vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

XPND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
XPND First Trust Expanded Technology ETF	0.09%	0.08%	0.12%	0.18%	0.34%	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XPND and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, XPND and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, XPND or QQQ?

XPND has higher volatility (4.57%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XPND dropped -38.00% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, XPND or QQQ?

On 3-year performance, QQQ leads with 28.78% vs 28.18% for XPND. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XPND or QQQ?

Over the 3-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 28.78% return vs 28.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XPND or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for XPND.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.09% for XPND.

What is the main difference between XPND and QQQ?

XPND is categorized as Technology Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for XPND and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.81), 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.