BSGLX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BSGLX (Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class I) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - BSGLX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Baillie Gifford Funds, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, BSGLX returned -1.39%/yr vs 16.01%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BSGLX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class I (BSGLX) 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, BSGLX achieves a -11.43% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return.

BSGLX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.00%
• YTD: -11.43%
• 6M: -12.46%
• 1Y: -5.63%
• 3Y*: 12.21%
• 5Y*: -1.39%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 16.45%
• 6M: 14.99%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 26.05%
• 5Y*: 16.01%
• 10Y*: 22.07%

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

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BSGLX Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class I	-11.43%	16.26%	24.92%	36.43%	-46.11%	2.37%	101.90%	33.40%	-1.42%	24.21%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.45%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	15.55%

Correlation

The correlation between BSGLX and QQQ is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 28, 2017	0.84

The correlation between BSGLX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.74 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BSGLX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BSGLX

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	BSGLX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.31	1.95	-2.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.30	2.57	-2.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.96	1.35	-0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.25	2.93	-3.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.56	10.86	-11.43

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BSGLX Sharpe Ratio is -0.31, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BSGLX 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

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BSGLX drawdown since its inception was -56.23%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSGLX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	BSGLX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.23%	-82.97%	+26.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.69%	-11.96%	-13.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.30%	-22.77%	-4.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.21%	-35.12%	-21.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.50%	-4.25%	-14.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.82%	-32.73%	+14.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.27%	3.22%	+8.05%

Volatility

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class I (BSGLX) is 3.62%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that BSGLX 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

	BSGLX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.62%	9.17%	-5.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.65%	14.57%	+1.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.51%	17.96%	+2.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.73%	22.69%	+7.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.00%	22.42%	+5.58%

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BSGLX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

BSGLX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

BSGLX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BSGLX Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth Fund Class I	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.85%	5.17%	8.40%	0.15%	10.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.43%	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 BSGLX and QQQ in my portfolio?

BSGLX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BSGLX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to BSGLX (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSGLX dropped -56.23% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs -0.31), 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.