^GSPC vs. QQQ

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ).

QQQ is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Mar 10, 1999.

Performance

^GSPC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

^GSPC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^GSPC S&P 500 Index	-4.63%	16.39%	23.31%	24.23%	-19.44%	26.89%	16.26%	28.88%	-6.24%	19.42%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	-5.93%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^GSPC achieves a -4.63% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's -5.93% return. Over the past 10 years, ^GSPC has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 12.16%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 18.85% annualized return.

^GSPC

• 1D: 2.91%
• 1M: -5.09%
• YTD: -4.63%
• 6M: -2.39%
• 1Y: 16.33%
• 3Y*: 16.69%
• 5Y*: 10.18%
• 10Y*: 12.16%

QQQ

• 1D: 3.39%
• 1M: -4.84%
• YTD: -5.93%
• 6M: -3.62%
• 1Y: 23.68%
• 3Y*: 22.32%
• 5Y*: 12.88%
• 10Y*: 18.85%

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

Return for Risk

^GSPC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

^GSPC

^GSPC Risk / Return Rank: 74
^GSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
^GSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
^GSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 76
^GSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
^GSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 85

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

^GSPC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) 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.

	^GSPC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	1.05	-0.15
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.39	1.63	-0.24
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.23	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	1.88	-0.48
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.61	6.95	-0.34
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^GSPC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^GSPC Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^GSPC and QQQ, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^GSPC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.90	1.05	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61	0.58	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.85	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.37	+0.08

Correlation

The correlation between ^GSPC and QQQ is 0.87, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Drawdowns

^GSPC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^GSPC drawdown since its inception was -56.78%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^GSPC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	^GSPC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.78%	-82.97%	+26.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.14%	-12.62%	+0.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.43%	-35.12%	+9.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.92%	-35.12%	+1.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.45%	-8.98%	+2.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.75%	-32.99%	+22.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.57%	3.41%	-0.84%

Volatility

^GSPC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for S&P 500 Index (^GSPC) is 5.34%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.51%. This indicates that ^GSPC 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

	^GSPC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.34%	6.51%	-1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.54%	12.77%	-3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.33%	22.67%	-4.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.91%	22.39%	-5.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.05%	22.25%	-4.20%