^SPLRCT vs. QQQ
^SPLRCT (S&P 500 Information Technology Index) is an index, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, ^SPLRCT returned 25.67%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure.
Performance
^SPLRCT vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ^SPLRCT achieves a 25.82% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, ^SPLRCT has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 25.67%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 22.07% annualized return.
^SPLRCT
- 1D
- -1.52%
- 1M
- 6.50%
- YTD
- 25.82%
- 6M
- 25.56%
- 1Y
- 52.23%
- 3Y*
- 34.34%
- 5Y*
- 23.84%
- 10Y*
- 25.67%
QQQ
- 1D
- -3.29%
- 1M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- 16.45%
- 6M
- 14.99%
- 1Y
- 34.88%
- 3Y*
- 26.05%
- 5Y*
- 16.01%
- 10Y*
- 22.07%
^SPLRCT vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
^SPLRCT S&P 500 Information Technology Index | 25.82% | 23.31% | 35.69% | 56.39% | -28.91% | 33.35% | 42.21% | 48.04% | -1.62% | 36.91% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 16.45% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between ^SPLRCT and QQQ is 0.85, 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 | 0.85 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999 | 0.94 |
The correlation between ^SPLRCT and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
^SPLRCT vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
^SPLRCT
QQQ
^SPLRCT vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for S&P 500 Information Technology Index (^SPLRCT) 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.
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.
| ^SPLRCT | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.77 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.87 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.44 | 1.35 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.97 | 2.93 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.01 | 10.86 | -1.85 |
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Drawdowns
^SPLRCT vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ^SPLRCT drawdown since its inception was -82.51%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^SPLRCT and QQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| ^SPLRCT | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.51% | -82.97% | +0.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.41% | -11.96% | -6.45% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -26.91% | -22.77% | -4.14% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.27% | -35.12% | +0.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -34.27% | -35.12% | +0.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.52% | -4.25% | +2.73% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -29.37% | -32.73% | +3.36% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.05% | 3.22% | +2.83% |
Volatility
^SPLRCT vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for S&P 500 Information Technology Index (^SPLRCT) is 6.20%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that ^SPLRCT 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.
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Volatility by Period
| ^SPLRCT | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.20% | 9.17% | -2.97% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.78% | 14.57% | +1.21% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.09% | 17.96% | +2.13% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.24% | 22.69% | +2.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.85% | 22.42% | +2.43% |
Frequently Asked Questions
^SPLRCT and QQQ have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to ^SPLRCT (6.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^SPLRCT dropped -82.51% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
^SPLRCT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.95), 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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