ETHA vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

ETHA (iShares Ethereum Trust ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ETHA is a Cryptocurrency fund tracking the CME CF Ether Dollar Reference Rate - New York Variant, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ETHA returned -37.67% vs 30.02% for QQQ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ETHA charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

ETHA vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) 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, ETHA achieves a -36.78% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.43% return.

ETHA

• 1D: 6.06%
• 1M: 12.81%
• 6M: -41.45%
• YTD: -36.78%
• 1Y: -37.67%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: -0.12%
• 6M: 15.19%
• YTD: 17.43%
• 1Y: 30.02%
• 3Y*: 24.54%
• 5Y*: 15.52%
• 10Y*: 21.32%

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

ETHA vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ETHA iShares Ethereum Trust ETF	-36.78%	-11.31%	-4.89%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	17.43%	20.77%	6.31%

Correlation

The correlation between ETHA and QQQ is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 23, 2024	0.53

The correlation between ETHA and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ETHA vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ETHA

ETHA Risk / Return Rank: 5
ETHA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
ETHA Martin Ratio Rank: 5

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 61
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

ETHA vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) 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.

	ETHA	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.55	1.62	-2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.49	2.18	-2.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.29	-0.34
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.56	2.52	-3.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.87	9.01	-9.88

ETHA vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ETHA Sharpe Ratio is -0.55, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ETHA 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

ETHA vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ETHA drawdown since its inception was -67.91%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ETHA and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ETHA	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.91%	-82.97%	+15.06%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-67.91%	-11.96%	-55.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-61.25%	-3.44%	-57.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.53%	-32.67%	-1.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	43.21%	3.34%	+39.87%

Volatility

ETHA vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Ethereum Trust ETF (ETHA) has a higher volatility of 16.93% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.09%. This indicates that ETHA'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

	ETHA	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.93%	8.09%	+8.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.63%	15.41%	+32.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.64%	18.60%	+50.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.20%	22.80%	+49.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.20%	22.45%	+49.75%

ETHA vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ETHA has a 0.25% 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

ETHA vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ETHA 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
ETHA iShares Ethereum Trust ETF	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 ETHA and QQQ in my portfolio?

ETHA and QQQ have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ETHA or QQQ?

ETHA has higher volatility (16.93%) compared to QQQ (8.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ETHA dropped -67.91% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, ETHA or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 30.02% vs -37.67% for ETHA. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 8.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ETHA or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 30.02% return vs -37.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ETHA or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for ETHA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, ETHA or QQQ?

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.42%, compared with 0.00% for ETHA.

What is the main difference between ETHA and QQQ?

ETHA is categorized as Cryptocurrency, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. ETHA tracks CME CF Ether Dollar Reference Rate - New York Variant, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for ETHA and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.62 vs -0.55), 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.