BSV vs. QQQ
BSV (Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - BSV is a Short-Term Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BSV returned 1.94%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. At a correlation of -0.11, they often move in opposite directions. BSV charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.
Performance
BSV vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BSV achieves a 0.42% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, BSV has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 1.94%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.
BSV
- 1D
- 0.00%
- 1M
- 0.41%
- YTD
- 0.42%
- 6M
- 0.75%
- 1Y
- 3.67%
- 3Y*
- 4.57%
- 5Y*
- 1.63%
- 10Y*
- 1.94%
QQQ
- 1D
- 0.59%
- 1M
- 1.75%
- YTD
- 17.57%
- 6M
- 17.85%
- 1Y
- 37.55%
- 3Y*
- 26.43%
- 5Y*
- 16.85%
- 10Y*
- 21.79%
BSV vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 0.42% | 6.00% | 3.78% | 4.90% | -5.49% | -1.09% | 4.70% | 4.98% | 1.34% | 1.20% |
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 BSV and QQQ is 0.18, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.18 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.10 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.12 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.02 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2007 | -0.11 |
The correlation between BSV and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (all time) to 0.18 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
BSV vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
BSV
QQQ
BSV vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) 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.
| BSV | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.39 | 1.37 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.79 | 3.01 | -0.22 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.42 | 11.22 | -1.81 |
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Drawdowns
BSV vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BSV drawdown since its inception was -8.54%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BSV and QQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BSV | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -8.54% | -82.97% | +74.43% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.29% | -11.96% | +10.67% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.53% | -22.77% | +21.24% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -8.54% | -35.12% | +26.58% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -8.54% | -35.12% | +26.58% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.50% | -3.33% | +2.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.97% | -32.75% | +31.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.38% | 3.20% | -2.82% |
Volatility
BSV vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares (BSV) is 0.57%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that BSV 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.
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Volatility by Period
| BSV | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.57% | 7.56% | -6.99% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.28% | 13.81% | -12.53% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.79% | 17.19% | -15.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 2.73% | 22.55% | -19.82% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 2.38% | 22.38% | -20.00% |
BSV vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
BSV has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BSV vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
BSV's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BSV Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund ETF Shares | 3.99% | 3.83% | 3.38% | 2.46% | 1.50% | 1.45% | 1.79% | 2.29% | 1.99% | 1.65% | 1.48% | 1.40% |
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
BSV and QQQ have a correlation of 0.18, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to BSV (0.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BSV dropped -8.54% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 1.94% for BSV. On fees, BSV is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BSV has been the lower-risk option at 0.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.79% return vs 1.94%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
BSV is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.
BSV has the higher dividend yield at 3.99%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.
BSV is categorized as Short-Term Bond, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. BSV tracks Bloomberg U.S. 1–5 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BSV and 0.18% for QQQ.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 2.01), 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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