AWK vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

AWK (American Water Works Company, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, AWK returned 6.83%/yr vs 22.36%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AWK vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) 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, AWK achieves a 1.01% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.89% return. Over the past 10 years, AWK has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 6.83%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.36% annualized return.

AWK

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 4.97%
• YTD: 1.01%
• 6M: 0.41%
• 1Y: -4.73%
• 3Y*: -0.14%
• 5Y*: -1.45%
• 10Y*: 6.83%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: 26.78%
• 5Y*: 16.13%
• 10Y*: 22.36%

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

AWK vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	1.01%	7.40%	-3.53%	-11.68%	-17.89%	24.83%	26.88%	37.79%	1.32%	29.01%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.89%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between AWK and QQQ is -0.33, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 23, 2008	0.26

The correlation between AWK and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.33 (1 year) to 0.26 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

AWK vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

AWK

AWK Risk / Return Rank: 32
AWK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
AWK Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
AWK Omega Ratio Rank: 29
AWK Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
AWK Martin Ratio Rank: 34

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

AWK vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) 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.

	AWK	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.22	1.85	-2.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.16	2.45	-2.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.33	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.31	2.77	-3.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.55	10.21	-10.76

AWK vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AWK Sharpe Ratio is -0.22, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AWK 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.

Drawdowns

AWK vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AWK drawdown since its inception was -37.10%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AWK and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	AWK	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.10%	-82.97%	+45.87%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.45%	-11.96%	-3.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.24%	-22.77%	+0.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.10%	-35.12%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.10%	-35.12%	-1.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.11%	-3.89%	-20.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.54%	-32.72%	+23.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.60%	3.24%	+5.36%

Volatility

AWK vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for American Water Works Company, Inc. (AWK) is 6.65%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.02%. This indicates that AWK 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.

Volatility by Period

	AWK	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.65%	9.02%	-2.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.74%	14.55%	+1.19%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.80%	17.91%	+3.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.88%	22.69%	+0.19%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.74%	22.41%	+1.33%

Dividends

AWK vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

AWK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, more than QQQ's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AWK American Water Works Company, Inc.	2.60%	2.49%	2.41%	2.10%	1.68%	1.25%	1.40%	1.59%	1.96%	1.77%	2.02%	2.23%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.42%	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 AWK and QQQ in my portfolio?

AWK and QQQ have a correlation of -0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AWK or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.02%) compared to AWK (6.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AWK dropped -37.10% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs -0.22), 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.