EUAD vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EUAD (Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EUAD is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the STOXX Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, EUAD returned 3.71% vs 34.88% for QQQ. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. EUAD charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

EUAD vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD) 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, EUAD achieves a -0.83% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return.

EUAD

• 1D: -0.21%
• 1M: 4.27%
• YTD: -0.83%
• 6M: -1.18%
• 1Y: 3.71%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

EUAD vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
EUAD Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF	-0.83%	74.51%	-6.86%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.45%	20.77%	3.36%

Correlation

The correlation between EUAD and QQQ is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 22, 2024	0.35

EUAD vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EUAD	QQQ
Industrials	99.4%	2.6%
Healthcare	0.1%	3.7%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Energy	-	0.5%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	58.7%
Utilities	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

EUAD vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

EUAD

EUAD Risk / Return Rank: 10
EUAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
EUAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
EUAD Omega Ratio Rank: 10
EUAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
EUAD Martin Ratio Rank: 10

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

EUAD vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD) 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.

	EUAD	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.13	1.95	-1.83
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.40	2.57	-2.17
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.35	-0.30
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.17	2.93	-2.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.39	10.86	-10.48

EUAD vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EUAD Sharpe Ratio is 0.13, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EUAD 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

EUAD vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EUAD drawdown since its inception was -22.04%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EUAD and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	EUAD	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.04%	-82.97%	+60.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.04%	-11.96%	-10.08%
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	-13.46%	-4.25%	-9.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-32.73%	+26.75%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.56%	3.22%	+6.34%

Volatility

EUAD vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF (EUAD) is 8.01%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that EUAD 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.

Volatility by Period

	EUAD	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.01%	9.17%	-1.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.36%	14.57%	+9.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.18%	17.96%	+11.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.72%	22.69%	+7.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.72%	22.42%	+7.30%

EUAD vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

EUAD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

EUAD vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

EUAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%, less than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EUAD Select STOXX Europe Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.40%	0.40%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both EUAD and QQQ in my portfolio?

EUAD and QQQ have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EUAD or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to EUAD (8.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EUAD dropped -22.04% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, EUAD or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 34.88% vs 3.71% for EUAD. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, EUAD has been the lower-risk option at 8.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EUAD or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 34.88% return vs 3.71%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EUAD or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for EUAD.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.40% for EUAD.

What is the main difference between EUAD and QQQ?

EUAD is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. EUAD tracks STOXX Europe Total Market Aerospace & Defense Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Select Funds and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EUAD and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.13), 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.