^XNDX vs. QQQ

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX) 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

^XNDX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

^XNDX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^XNDX NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index	-5.82%	21.02%	25.88%	55.13%	-32.38%	27.51%	48.88%	39.46%	0.04%	32.99%
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

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with ^XNDX having a -5.82% return and QQQ slightly lower at -5.93%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ^XNDX having a 19.10% annualized return and QQQ not far behind at 18.85%.

^XNDX

• 1D: 3.43%
• 1M: -4.81%
• YTD: -5.82%
• 6M: -3.49%
• 1Y: 23.99%
• 3Y*: 22.61%
• 5Y*: 13.12%
• 10Y*: 19.10%

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

^XNDX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

^XNDX

^XNDX Risk / Return Rank: 80
^XNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
^XNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
^XNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 79
^XNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
^XNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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.

^XNDX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX) 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.

	^XNDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	1.05	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.65	1.63	+0.02
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.23	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	1.88	+0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.12	6.95	+0.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^XNDX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^XNDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^XNDX 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

	^XNDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	1.05	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.58	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.85	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.37	+0.32

Correlation

The correlation between ^XNDX and QQQ is 0.98, 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

^XNDX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^XNDX drawdown since its inception was -53.42%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^XNDX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	^XNDX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.42%	-82.97%	+29.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.71%	-12.62%	-0.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.04%	-35.12%	+0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.04%	-35.12%	+0.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.83%	-8.98%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.73%	-32.99%	+25.26%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	3.41%	-0.04%

Volatility

^XNDX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 6.57% and 6.51%, 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

	^XNDX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.57%	6.51%	+0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.88%	12.77%	+0.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.74%	22.67%	+0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.62%	22.39%	+0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.48%	22.25%	+0.23%