BBC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

BBC (Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BBC is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BBC returned 11.18%/yr vs 21.45%/yr for QQQ. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. BBC charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

BBC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) 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, BBC achieves a 37.88% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 18.38% return. Over the past 10 years, BBC has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.18%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.45% annualized return.

BBC

• 1D: -3.11%
• 1M: 23.55%
• 6M: 34.41%
• YTD: 37.88%
• 1Y: 155.13%
• 3Y*: 31.05%
• 5Y*: 2.03%
• 10Y*: 11.18%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.69%
• 6M: 16.05%
• YTD: 18.38%
• 1Y: 31.54%
• 3Y*: 26.10%
• 5Y*: 15.67%
• 10Y*: 21.45%

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

BBC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	37.88%	63.77%	-1.11%	-1.80%	-35.13%	-22.31%	30.32%	63.81%	-18.29%	57.85%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	18.38%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between BBC and QQQ is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2014	0.51

The correlation between BBC and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (1 year) to 0.51 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

BBC vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	BBC	QQQ
Healthcare	99.0%	3.7%
Financial Services	0.8%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Energy	-	0.5%
Industrials	-	2.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	58.7%
Utilities	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

BBC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BBC

BBC Risk / Return Rank: 96
BBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
BBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
BBC Omega Ratio Rank: 94
BBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
BBC Martin Ratio Rank: 96

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

BBC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) 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.

	BBC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.23	1.70	+2.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.54	2.28	+2.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.54	1.30	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	10.07	2.62	+7.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	29.52	9.43	+20.09

BBC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BBC Sharpe Ratio is 4.23, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BBC 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

BBC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BBC drawdown since its inception was -76.85%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BBC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BBC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.85%	-82.97%	+6.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.10%	-11.96%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.45%	-22.77%	-31.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-70.92%	-35.12%	-35.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-76.85%	-35.12%	-41.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-11.50%	-2.66%	-8.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-36.98%	-32.67%	-4.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	3.32%	+1.82%

Volatility

BBC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF (BBC) has a higher volatility of 9.71% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.71%. This indicates that BBC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BBC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.71%	8.71%	+1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.07%	15.28%	+10.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.96%	18.47%	+17.49%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.56%	22.77%	+16.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.69%	22.43%	+15.26%

BBC vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BBC has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BBC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

BBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.23%, more than QQQ's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BBC Virtus LifeSci Biotech Clinical Trials ETF	1.23%	1.70%	1.00%	0.34%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	2.09%	0.00%	0.51%
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 BBC and QQQ in my portfolio?

BBC and QQQ have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BBC or QQQ?

BBC has higher volatility (9.71%) compared to QQQ (8.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BBC dropped -76.85% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, BBC or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.45% vs 11.18% for BBC. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 8.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BBC or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.45% return vs 11.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BBC or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for BBC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BBC or QQQ?

BBC has the higher dividend yield at 1.23%, compared with 0.42% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between BBC and QQQ?

BBC is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. BBC tracks LifeSci Biotechnology Clinical Trials Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus Investment Partners and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for BBC and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BBC currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.23 vs 1.70), 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.