^NDX vs. ^IXIC
^NDX (NASDAQ 100 Index) and ^IXIC (NASDAQ Composite) are both indexes. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX returned 21.32%/yr vs 18.55%/yr for ^IXIC. With a 0.97 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep.
Performance
^NDX vs. ^IXIC - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ^NDX achieves a 20.42% return, which is significantly higher than ^IXIC's 14.09% return. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX has outperformed ^IXIC with an annualized return of 21.32%, while ^IXIC has yielded a comparatively lower 18.55% annualized return.
^NDX
- 1D
- 2.48%
- 1M
- 5.51%
- YTD
- 20.42%
- 6M
- 21.53%
- 1Y
- 39.99%
- 3Y*
- 26.32%
- 5Y*
- 16.70%
- 10Y*
- 21.32%
^IXIC
- 1D
- 1.91%
- 1M
- 2.50%
- YTD
- 14.09%
- 6M
- 15.26%
- 1Y
- 35.67%
- 3Y*
- 24.66%
- 5Y*
- 13.58%
- 10Y*
- 18.55%
^NDX vs. ^IXIC - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^NDX NASDAQ 100 Index | 20.42% | 20.17% | 24.88% | 53.81% | -32.97% | 26.63% | 47.58% | 37.96% | -1.04% | 31.52% |
^IXIC NASDAQ Composite | 14.09% | 20.36% | 28.64% | 43.42% | -33.10% | 21.39% | 43.64% | 35.23% | -3.88% | 28.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^NDX and ^IXIC is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.99 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 1, 1985 | 0.97 |
The correlation between ^NDX and ^IXIC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
^NDX vs. ^IXIC — Risk / Return Rank
^NDX
^IXIC
^NDX vs. ^IXIC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC). 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.
| ^NDX | ^IXIC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.24 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.36 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.31 | 2.71 | +0.60 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 12.29 | 10.24 | +2.04 |
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Drawdowns
^NDX vs. ^IXIC - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^NDX drawdown since its inception was -82.90%, which is greater than ^IXIC's maximum drawdown of -77.93%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^NDX and ^IXIC.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ^NDX | ^IXIC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.90% | -77.93% | -4.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.12% | -13.21% | +1.09% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.93% | -24.32% | +1.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.56% | -36.40% | +0.84% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.56% | -36.40% | +0.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.83% | -2.13% | +1.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -24.60% | -21.39% | -3.21% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 3.49% | -0.23% |
Volatility
^NDX vs. ^IXIC - Volatility Comparison
NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) has a higher volatility of 8.49% compared to NASDAQ Composite (^IXIC) at 7.36%. This indicates that ^NDX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ^IXIC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| ^NDX | ^IXIC | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.49% | 7.36% | +1.13% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.35% | 13.78% | +0.57% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.71% | 17.39% | +0.32% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.84% | 22.61% | +0.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.65% | 22.10% | +0.55% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.98, ^NDX and ^IXIC 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.
^NDX has higher volatility (8.49%) compared to ^IXIC (7.36%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^NDX dropped -82.90% vs ^IXIC's -77.93%.
^NDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.27 vs 2.06), 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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