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BST vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

BST vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BST achieves a 21.48% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, BST has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 20.10%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.


BST

1D
2.64%
1M
6.02%
YTD
21.48%
6M
27.08%
1Y
42.06%
3Y*
22.50%
5Y*
4.54%
10Y*
20.10%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.93%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
35.82%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BST vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BST
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust
21.48%23.65%17.96%30.07%-38.28%-0.35%69.27%34.57%8.84%57.43%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF
17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between BST and QQQ is 0.77, 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

0.77

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.79

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.82

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2014

0.76

The correlation between BST and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.76 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

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Return for Risk

BST vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

BST
BST Risk / Return Rank: 8787
Overall Rank
BST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9191
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BST Sortino Ratio Rank: 8989
Sortino Ratio Rank
BST Omega Ratio Rank: 8989
Omega Ratio Rank
BST Calmar Ratio Rank: 8282
Calmar Ratio Rank
BST Martin Ratio Rank: 8787
Martin Ratio Rank

QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

BST vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) 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.


BSTQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+0.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+0.14

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.39

1.37

+0.02

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.76

3.01

-0.25

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.87

11.22

-2.35

BST vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BST Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BST 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.


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Drawdowns

BST vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BST drawdown since its inception was -47.72%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BST and QQQ.


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Drawdown Indicators


BSTQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-47.72%

-82.97%

+35.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.31%

-11.96%

-3.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-23.37%

-22.77%

-0.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-47.72%

-35.12%

-12.60%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-47.72%

-35.12%

-12.60%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.13%

-3.33%

-0.80%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-12.96%

-32.75%

+19.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.76%

3.20%

+1.56%

Volatility

BST vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) has a higher volatility of 9.75% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 7.56%. This indicates that BST'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.


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Volatility by Period


BSTQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

9.75%

7.56%

+2.19%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

16.86%

13.81%

+3.05%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.44%

17.19%

+2.25%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

23.81%

22.55%

+1.26%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.83%

22.38%

+3.45%

Dividends

BST vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

BST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.79%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BST
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust
8.79%10.36%8.21%8.91%10.57%5.38%3.85%10.52%6.41%4.80%6.69%6.93%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF
0.39%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


BST and QQQ have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

BST has higher volatility (9.75%) compared to QQQ (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BST dropped -47.72% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

BST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 2.09), 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.

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