CYTK vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

CYTK (Cytokinetics, Incorporated) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, CYTK returned 23.96%/yr vs 21.45%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

CYTK vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cytokinetics, Incorporated (CYTK) 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, CYTK achieves a 33.57% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 18.38% return. Over the past 10 years, CYTK has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 23.96%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 21.45% annualized return.

CYTK

• 1D: -1.39%
• 1M: 20.98%
• 6M: 35.77%
• YTD: 33.57%
• 1Y: 129.32%
• 3Y*: 34.18%
• 5Y*: 34.07%
• 10Y*: 23.96%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.31%
• 1M: 0.69%
• 6M: 16.05%
• YTD: 18.38%
• 1Y: 31.54%
• 3Y*: 26.10%
• 5Y*: 15.67%
• 10Y*: 21.45%

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

CYTK vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CYTK Cytokinetics, Incorporated	33.57%	35.08%	-43.66%	82.21%	0.53%	119.35%	95.85%	67.88%	-22.45%	-32.92%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	18.38%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between CYTK and QQQ is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.31
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2004	0.33

The correlation between CYTK and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (3 years) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

CYTK vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

CYTK

CYTK Risk / Return Rank: 95
CYTK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
CYTK Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
CYTK Omega Ratio Rank: 93
CYTK Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
CYTK Martin Ratio Rank: 97

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

CYTK vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cytokinetics, Incorporated (CYTK) 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.

	CYTK	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.19	1.70	+0.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.60	2.28	+1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.30	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	8.84	2.62	+6.22
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.45	9.43	+10.01

CYTK vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CYTK Sharpe Ratio is 2.19, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CYTK 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

CYTK vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CYTK drawdown since its inception was -97.09%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CYTK and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	CYTK	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-97.09%	-82.97%	-14.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.01%	-11.96%	-3.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-72.39%	-22.77%	-49.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.39%	-35.12%	-37.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.39%	-35.12%	-37.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.46%	-2.66%	-18.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-75.82%	-32.67%	-43.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.81%	3.32%	+3.49%

Volatility

CYTK vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Cytokinetics, Incorporated (CYTK) has a higher volatility of 10.02% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.71%. This indicates that CYTK'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

	CYTK	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.02%	8.71%	+1.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.41%	15.28%	+17.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	60.74%	18.47%	+42.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	70.03%	22.77%	+47.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	68.02%	22.43%	+45.59%

Dividends

CYTK vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

CYTK has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CYTK Cytokinetics, Incorporated	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.42%	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 CYTK and QQQ in my portfolio?

CYTK and QQQ have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, CYTK or QQQ?

CYTK has higher volatility (10.02%) compared to QQQ (8.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CYTK dropped -97.09% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

CYTK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.19 vs 1.70), 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.