AALTX vs. QQQM

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

AALTX (American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund) and QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both funds - AALTX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by American Funds, while QQQM is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, AALTX returned 9.02%/yr vs 16.94%/yr for QQQM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. AALTX charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QQQM.

Performance

AALTX vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AALTX) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AALTX achieves a 8.20% return, which is significantly lower than QQQM's 17.59% return.

AALTX

• 1D: 2.17%
• 1M: -0.39%
• YTD: 8.20%
• 6M: 9.04%
• 1Y: 21.69%
• 3Y*: 17.76%
• 5Y*: 9.02%
• 10Y*: 11.89%

QQQM

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 17.59%
• 6M: 17.91%
• 1Y: 37.64%
• 3Y*: 26.52%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: —

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

AALTX vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
AALTX American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund	8.20%	20.06%	15.09%	20.34%	-19.14%	16.96%	8.75%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	17.59%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	27.45%	6.64%

Correlation

The correlation between AALTX and QQQM is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2020	0.89

The correlation between AALTX and QQQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

AALTX vs. QQQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

AALTX

AALTX Risk / Return Rank: 55
AALTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
AALTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
AALTX Omega Ratio Rank: 55
AALTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
AALTX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

AALTX vs. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AALTX) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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.

	AALTX	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.72	2.11	-0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.40	2.74	-0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.37	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	3.02	-0.81
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.78	11.23	-1.45

AALTX vs. QQQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AALTX Sharpe Ratio is 1.72, which is comparable to the QQQM Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AALTX and QQQM, 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

AALTX vs. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AALTX drawdown since its inception was -50.02%, which is greater than QQQM's maximum drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AALTX and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	AALTX	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.02%	-35.04%	-14.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.45%	-11.96%	+2.51%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.93%	-22.70%	+7.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.68%	-35.04%	+8.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-29.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.00%	-3.33%	+1.33%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.17%	-8.23%	+1.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.13%	3.21%	-1.08%

Volatility

AALTX vs. QQQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund (AALTX) is 4.86%, while Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a volatility of 7.45%. This indicates that AALTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AALTX	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.86%	7.45%	-2.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.02%	13.71%	-3.69%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.15%	17.11%	-4.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.38%	22.40%	-8.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.91%	22.22%	-7.31%

AALTX vs. QQQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

AALTX has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

AALTX vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

AALTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.37%, more than QQQM's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AALTX American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund	5.37%	5.81%	3.33%	2.36%	7.07%	4.32%	3.13%	4.17%	4.77%	2.36%	3.53%	4.85%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.43%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AALTX and QQQM in my portfolio?

AALTX and QQQM have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AALTX or QQQM?

QQQM has higher volatility (7.45%) compared to AALTX (4.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AALTX dropped -50.02% vs QQQM's -35.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.72), 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.