BGLTX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

BGLTX (Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - BGLTX is a Global Equities fund managed by Baillie Gifford Funds, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, BGLTX returned 14.94%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BGLTX charges 0.73%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund (BGLTX) 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, BGLTX achieves a -11.38% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, BGLTX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 14.94%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

BGLTX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -1.55%
• YTD: -11.38%
• 6M: -12.36%
• 1Y: -6.19%
• 3Y*: 12.32%
• 5Y*: -0.95%
• 10Y*: 14.94%

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)

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BGLTX Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund	-11.38%	16.38%	25.03%	36.61%	-46.09%	2.47%	102.05%	33.53%	-1.37%	54.04%
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 BGLTX and QQQ is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.81

The correlation between BGLTX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BGLTX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BGLTX

BGLTX Risk / Return Rank: 2
BGLTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
BGLTX Martin Ratio Rank: 2

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.

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund (BGLTX) 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.

	BGLTX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.29	2.64	-2.93
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.27	3.45	-3.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.45	-0.48
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.23	3.51	-3.74
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.53	13.49	-14.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BGLTX Sharpe Ratio is -0.29, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BGLTX 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

	BGLTX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.29	2.64	-2.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.01	0.81	-0.82
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.99	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.41	-0.13

Drawdowns

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGLTX drawdown since its inception was -70.17%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGLTX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGLTX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.17%	-82.97%	+12.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.64%	-11.96%	-13.68%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.28%	-22.77%	-4.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-70.17%	-35.12%	-35.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.17%	-35.12%	-35.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.45%	-0.26%	-18.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.03%	-32.79%	+16.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.19%	3.11%	+8.08%

Volatility

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund (BGLTX) is 3.65%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that BGLTX 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

	BGLTX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.65%	4.49%	-0.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.67%	12.10%	+3.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.51%	15.94%	+4.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.82%	22.38%	+45.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.05%	22.29%	+28.76%

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BGLTX has a 0.73% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BGLTX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

BGLTX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BGLTX Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.84%	5.15%	8.39%	0.15%	10.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 BGLTX and QQQ in my portfolio?

BGLTX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BGLTX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to BGLTX (3.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGLTX dropped -70.17% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs -0.29), 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.