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DAX vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

DAX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

DAX (Global X DAX Germany ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - DAX is a Europe Equities fund tracking the DAX Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, DAX returned 9.68%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DAX charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

DAX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global X DAX Germany ETF (DAX) 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, DAX achieves a -1.81% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, DAX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 9.68%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.07% annualized return.

DAX

1D
-1.06%
1M
-1.26%
YTD
-1.81%
6M
-1.55%
1Y
3.85%
3Y*
17.16%
5Y*
8.06%
10Y*
9.68%

QQQ

1D
-3.29%
1M
-0.43%
YTD
16.45%
6M
14.99%
1Y
34.88%
3Y*
26.05%
5Y*
16.01%
10Y*
22.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DAX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
DAX
Global X DAX Germany ETF		-1.81%39.00%10.55%23.62%-18.47%7.73%12.27%22.11%-22.92%28.23%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		16.45%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between DAX and QQQ is 0.69, 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

0.69

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

0.58

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

0.62

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

0.59

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 23, 2014

0.59

The correlation between DAX and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (3 years) to 0.69 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DAX vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
DAX
QQQ

Industrials

34.1%
2.6%

Financial Services

20.0%
0.2%

Technology

15.4%
58.7%

Consumer Cyclical

7.3%
11.4%

Communication Services

6.2%
14.3%

Healthcare

5.5%
3.7%

Basic Materials

5.0%
1.0%

Utilities

4.5%
1.2%

Consumer Defensive

1.0%
6.4%

Real Estate

0.9%
0.1%

Energy

-

0.5%

Industrials

DAX
34.1%
QQQ
2.6%

Financial Services

DAX
20.0%
QQQ
0.2%

Technology

DAX
15.4%
QQQ
58.7%

Consumer Cyclical

DAX
7.3%
QQQ
11.4%

Communication Services

DAX
6.2%
QQQ
14.3%

Healthcare

DAX
5.5%
QQQ
3.7%

Basic Materials

DAX
5.0%
QQQ
1.0%

Utilities

DAX
4.5%
QQQ
1.2%

Consumer Defensive

DAX
1.0%
QQQ
6.4%

Real Estate

DAX
0.9%
QQQ
0.1%

Energy

DAX

-

QQQ
0.5%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Global X DAX Germany ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with DAX:
DAX vs. SPYDAX vs. ^NIFTY500DAX vs. CACDAX vs. BMW.DEDAX vs. ^FCHIDAX vs. VOODAX vs. VGK
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. SPMO

Return for Risk

DAX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
DAX
DAX Risk / Return Rank: 1111
Overall Rank
DAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1111
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 1111
Sortino Ratio Rank
DAX Omega Ratio Rank: 1111
Omega Ratio Rank
DAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 1111
Calmar Ratio Rank
DAX Martin Ratio Rank: 1212
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
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.

DAX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X DAX Germany ETF (DAX) 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.

DAXQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.22
1.95

-1.74

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.43
2.57

-2.13

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.05

1.35

-0.29

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.26

2.93

-2.67

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

0.80

10.86

-10.06

DAX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DAX 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

DAX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DAX drawdown since its inception was -45.58%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DAX and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

DAXQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-45.58%

-82.97%

+37.39%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-14.82%

-11.96%

-2.86%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-16.03%

-22.77%

+6.74%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-38.92%

-35.12%

-3.80%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-45.58%

-35.12%

-10.46%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.73%

-4.25%

-1.48%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.48%

-32.73%

+22.25%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

4.82%

3.22%

+1.60%

Volatility

DAX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X DAX Germany ETF (DAX) is 5.25%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that DAX 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

DAXQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.25%

9.17%

-3.92%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.86%

14.57%

+0.29%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.98%

17.96%

+0.02%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

20.43%

22.69%

-2.26%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.98%

22.42%

-1.44%

DAX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

DAX has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

DAX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

DAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.50%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DAX
Global X DAX Germany ETF		1.50%1.47%2.24%2.48%2.80%2.65%2.25%2.47%3.33%1.73%1.78%1.41%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.43%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

DAX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to DAX (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DAX dropped -45.58% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.07% vs 9.68% for DAX. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, DAX has been the lower-risk option at 5.25%. 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 22.07% return vs 9.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for DAX.

DAX has the higher dividend yield at 1.50%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.

DAX is categorized as Europe Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. DAX tracks DAX Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for DAX and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.22), 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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