CTCAX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

CTCAX (Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - CTCAX is a Technology Equities fund managed by Columbia, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, CTCAX returned 24.78%/yr vs 22.48%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CTCAX charges 1.18%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) 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, CTCAX achieves a 30.84% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 20.41% return. Over the past 10 years, CTCAX has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 24.78%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 22.48% annualized return.

CTCAX

• 1D: 3.52%
• 1M: 7.73%
• YTD: 30.84%
• 6M: 30.74%
• 1Y: 58.79%
• 3Y*: 34.19%
• 5Y*: 19.84%
• 10Y*: 24.78%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 40.91%
• 3Y*: 27.47%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 22.48%

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

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CTCAX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A	30.84%	24.78%	31.39%	56.46%	-34.81%	22.73%	49.46%	43.91%	-1.48%	42.99%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between CTCAX and QQQ is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.96
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2002	0.93

The correlation between CTCAX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.97 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CTCAX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CTCAX

CTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 76
CTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
CTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
CTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
CTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
CTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 82

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 72
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.

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) 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.

	CTCAX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.33	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.04	3.03	+0.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.41	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.01	3.44	+0.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.29	12.79	+1.50

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CTCAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CTCAX 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

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CTCAX drawdown since its inception was -61.04%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTCAX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CTCAX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.04%	-82.97%	+21.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.43%	-11.96%	-2.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.67%	-22.77%	-3.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-39.55%	-35.12%	-4.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.55%	-35.12%	-4.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.92%	-0.99%	+0.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.67%	-32.73%	+22.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	3.21%	+0.84%

Volatility

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A (CTCAX) has a higher volatility of 11.73% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.47%. This indicates that CTCAX'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

	CTCAX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.73%	8.47%	+3.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.53%	14.20%	+5.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.42%	17.67%	+5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.37%	22.64%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.05%	22.43%	+2.62%

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

CTCAX has a 1.18% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

CTCAX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

CTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.51%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CTCAX Columbia Global Technology Growth Fund Class A	2.51%	3.29%	1.08%	2.36%	3.53%	4.15%	0.91%	2.55%	5.82%	3.52%	0.36%	1.80%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	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 CTCAX and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, CTCAX 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, CTCAX or QQQ?

CTCAX has higher volatility (11.73%) compared to QQQ (8.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTCAX dropped -61.04% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CTCAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.47 vs 2.33), 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.