AFL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

AFL (Aflac Incorporated) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, AFL returned 15.37%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.41 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AFL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Aflac Incorporated (AFL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AFL achieves a 4.93% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, AFL has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 15.37%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

AFL

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: 1.56%
• YTD: 4.93%
• 6M: 6.11%
• 1Y: 12.37%
• 3Y*: 22.39%
• 5Y*: 17.42%
• 10Y*: 15.37%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

AFL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AFL Aflac Incorporated	4.93%	8.94%	28.08%	17.36%	26.41%	34.55%	-13.60%	18.55%	6.20%	29.02%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between AFL and QQQ is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999	0.41

The correlation between AFL and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.41 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AFL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AFL

AFL Risk / Return Rank: 62
AFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
AFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
AFL Omega Ratio Rank: 54
AFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
AFL Martin Ratio Rank: 68

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

AFL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Aflac Incorporated (AFL) 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.

	AFL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	2.64	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.16	3.45	-2.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.45	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.36	3.51	-2.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.39	13.49	-10.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AFL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AFL Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AFL and QQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AFL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	2.64	-1.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.84	0.81	+0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.99	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.41	+0.07

Drawdowns

AFL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AFL drawdown since its inception was -82.71%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AFL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AFL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.71%	-82.97%	+0.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.11%	-11.96%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.56%	-22.77%	+9.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.86%	-35.12%	+15.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.89%	-35.12%	-19.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.01%	-0.26%	-2.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.66%	-32.79%	+21.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.67%	3.11%	+0.56%

Volatility

AFL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Aflac Incorporated (AFL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 4.67% and 4.49%, 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

	AFL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	4.49%	+0.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.69%	12.10%	-0.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.77%	15.94%	+0.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.88%	22.38%	-1.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.74%	22.29%	+3.45%

Dividends

AFL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

AFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.08%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AFL Aflac Incorporated	2.08%	2.10%	1.93%	2.04%	2.22%	2.26%	2.52%	2.04%	2.28%	1.98%	2.39%	2.64%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AFL and QQQ in my portfolio?

AFL and QQQ have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AFL or QQQ?

AFL has higher volatility (4.67%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AFL dropped -82.71% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.74), 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.