^NDX vs. WT

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

^NDX (NASDAQ 100 Index) is an index, while WT (WisdomTree Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX returned 20.95%/yr vs 8.07%/yr for WT. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

^NDX vs. WT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and WisdomTree Inc. (WT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^NDX achieves a 17.37% return, which is significantly lower than WT's 47.93% return. Over the past 10 years, ^NDX has outperformed WT with an annualized return of 20.95%, while WT has yielded a comparatively lower 8.07% annualized return.

^NDX

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 0.19%
• YTD: 17.37%
• 6M: 17.62%
• 1Y: 37.01%
• 3Y*: 25.76%
• 5Y*: 16.18%
• 10Y*: 20.95%

WT

• 1D: 3.99%
• 1M: -9.29%
• YTD: 47.93%
• 6M: 52.43%
• 1Y: 80.10%
• 3Y*: 36.20%
• 5Y*: 22.72%
• 10Y*: 8.07%

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

^NDX vs. WT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^NDX NASDAQ 100 Index	17.37%	20.17%	24.88%	53.81%	-32.97%	26.63%	47.58%	37.96%	-1.04%	31.52%
WT WisdomTree Inc.	47.93%	17.38%	53.55%	29.56%	-8.94%	16.57%	14.13%	-25.75%	-46.31%	16.47%

Correlation

The correlation between ^NDX and WT is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 4, 1993	0.22

Over the past year, ^NDX and WT have become more correlated (0.46) than their long-term average of 0.22, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

^NDX vs. WT — Risk / Return Rank

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

^NDX

^NDX Risk / Return Rank: 79
^NDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
^NDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
^NDX Omega Ratio Rank: 81
^NDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 78
^NDX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

WT

WT Risk / Return Rank: 85
WT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
WT Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
WT Omega Ratio Rank: 83
WT Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
WT Martin Ratio Rank: 82

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.

^NDX vs. WT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) and WisdomTree Inc. (WT). 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	WT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	2.07	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	2.74	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.31	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.92	2.90	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.85	6.89	+3.96

^NDX vs. WT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^NDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is comparable to the WT Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^NDX and WT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

^NDX vs. WT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^NDX drawdown since its inception was -82.90%, smaller than the maximum WT drawdown of -99.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^NDX and WT.

Drawdown Indicators

	^NDX	WT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.90%	-99.92%	+17.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.12%	-26.67%	+14.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.93%	-36.94%	+14.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.56%	-36.94%	+1.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.56%	-83.95%	+48.39%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.34%	-12.50%	+9.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.61%	-60.16%	+35.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.26%	11.20%	-7.94%

Volatility

^NDX vs. WT - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for NASDAQ 100 Index (^NDX) is 7.51%, while WisdomTree Inc. (WT) has a volatility of 11.00%. This indicates that ^NDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^NDX	WT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.51%	11.00%	-3.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.84%	31.11%	-17.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.29%	37.43%	-20.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.76%	32.39%	-9.63%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.61%	42.93%	-20.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^NDX and WT in my portfolio?

^NDX and WT have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^NDX or WT?

WT has higher volatility (11.00%) compared to ^NDX (7.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^NDX dropped -82.90% vs WT's -99.92%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 2.05), 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.