BGSAX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 20, 2026

BGSAX (BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - BGSAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by BlackRock, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, BGSAX returned 25.97%/yr vs 22.17%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BGSAX charges 1.20%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A (BGSAX) 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, BGSAX achieves a 43.57% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 20.71% return. Over the past 10 years, BGSAX has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 25.97%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 22.17% annualized return.

BGSAX

• 1D: 4.46%
• 1M: 10.95%
• YTD: 43.57%
• 6M: 44.34%
• 1Y: 65.66%
• 3Y*: 38.82%
• 5Y*: 16.37%
• 10Y*: 25.97%

QQQ

• 1D: 2.51%
• 1M: 3.85%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 20.33%
• 1Y: 40.68%
• 3Y*: 27.01%
• 5Y*: 17.37%
• 10Y*: 22.17%

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

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BGSAX BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A	43.57%	19.63%	40.56%	49.09%	-43.13%	8.19%	86.27%	43.84%	2.03%	49.45%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between BGSAX and QQQ is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 2000	0.91

The correlation between BGSAX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BGSAX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BGSAX

BGSAX Risk / Return Rank: 69
BGSAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
BGSAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
BGSAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
BGSAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
BGSAX Martin Ratio Rank: 57

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 71
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 72

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.

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A (BGSAX) 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.

	BGSAX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.37	2.32	+0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.89	3.01	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.40	1.41	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.57	3.42	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.42	12.72	-2.30

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BGSAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.37, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BGSAX 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

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BGSAX drawdown since its inception was -73.75%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BGSAX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BGSAX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.75%	-82.97%	+9.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.49%	-11.96%	-6.53%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.75%	-22.77%	-4.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.22%	-35.12%	-14.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.22%	-35.12%	-14.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-0.74%	+0.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.33%	-32.73%	+6.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.32%	3.21%	+3.11%

Volatility

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A (BGSAX) has a higher volatility of 14.41% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.58%. This indicates that BGSAX'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

	BGSAX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.41%	8.58%	+5.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.82%	14.34%	+9.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.87%	17.64%	+10.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.32%	22.63%	+5.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.19%	22.42%	+3.77%

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BGSAX has a 1.20% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BGSAX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

BGSAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.44%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BGSAX BlackRock Technology Opportunities Fund Investor A	9.44%	13.55%	8.68%	0.00%	0.00%	7.66%	4.86%	1.50%	1.24%	8.01%	1.17%	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 BGSAX and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, BGSAX and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BGSAX or QQQ?

BGSAX has higher volatility (14.41%) compared to QQQ (8.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BGSAX dropped -73.75% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BGSAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.37 vs 2.32), 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.