COR vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

COR (Cencora Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, COR returned 16.84%/yr vs 21.84%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

COR vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cencora Inc. (COR) 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, COR achieves a -19.64% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.71% return. Over the past 10 years, COR has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 16.84%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.84% annualized return.

COR

• 1D: 2.53%
• 1M: -11.43%
• YTD: -19.64%
• 6M: -19.61%
• 1Y: -5.76%
• 3Y*: 16.66%
• 5Y*: 20.26%
• 10Y*: 16.84%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 19.19%
• 1Y: 40.74%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

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

COR vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
COR Cencora Inc.	-19.64%	51.48%	10.37%	25.33%	26.26%	44.09%	23.37%	23.51%	-17.57%	19.51%
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 COR and QQQ is -0.02, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.02
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999	0.30

The correlation between COR and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (3 years) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

COR vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

COR

COR Risk / Return Rank: 32
COR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
COR Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
COR Omega Ratio Rank: 29
COR Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
COR Martin Ratio Rank: 33

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
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.

COR vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cencora Inc. (COR) 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.

	COR	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.19	2.57	-2.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	3.37	-3.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.44	-0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.18	3.42	-3.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.52	13.14	-13.67
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

COR vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COR Sharpe Ratio is -0.19, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COR 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

	COR	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.19	2.57	-2.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91	0.80	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.98	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	0.41	+0.13

Drawdowns

COR vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COR drawdown since its inception was -71.01%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COR and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	COR	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-71.01%	-82.97%	+11.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.44%	-11.96%	-20.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.44%	-22.77%	-9.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.44%	-35.12%	+2.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.44%	-35.12%	+2.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-27.58%	-0.74%	-26.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.62%	-32.78%	+19.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.01%	3.11%	+7.90%

Volatility

COR vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Cencora Inc. (COR) has a higher volatility of 20.63% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.51%. This indicates that COR'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

	COR	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.63%	4.51%	+16.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.16%	12.10%	+15.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.15%	15.94%	+14.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.33%	22.37%	-0.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.47%	22.29%	+5.18%

Dividends

COR vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

COR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.87%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COR Cencora Inc.	0.87%	0.67%	0.93%	0.96%	1.13%	5.13%	6.74%	7.48%	2.07%	1.61%	1.77%	1.17%
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 COR and QQQ in my portfolio?

COR and QQQ have a correlation of -0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, COR or QQQ?

COR has higher volatility (20.63%) compared to QQQ (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COR dropped -71.01% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -0.19), 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.