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EXI vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EXI vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

EXI (iShares Global Industrials ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - EXI is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EXI returned 13.04%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EXI charges 0.43%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

EXI vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) 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, EXI achieves a 12.18% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, EXI has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.04%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.07% annualized return.

EXI

1D
-2.28%
1M
1.89%
YTD
12.18%
6M
11.32%
1Y
23.77%
3Y*
20.42%
5Y*
11.94%
10Y*
13.04%

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)

EXI vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EXI
iShares Global Industrials ETF		12.18%25.88%12.47%22.04%-12.36%17.37%11.33%27.13%-14.41%25.16%
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 EXI and QQQ is 0.65, 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

0.65

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

0.66

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

0.70

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

0.67

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 27, 2006

0.72

The correlation between EXI and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

EXI vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EXI
QQQ

Industrials

94.4%
2.6%

Technology

4.0%
58.7%

Utilities

2.6%
1.2%

Communication Services

1.1%
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

0.2%
11.4%

Basic Materials

0.2%
1.0%

Financial Services

0.1%
0.2%

Consumer Defensive

0.1%
6.4%

Energy

-

0.5%

Healthcare

-

3.7%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Industrials

EXI
94.4%
QQQ
2.6%

Technology

EXI
4.0%
QQQ
58.7%

Utilities

EXI
2.6%
QQQ
1.2%

Communication Services

EXI
1.1%
QQQ
14.3%

Consumer Cyclical

EXI
0.2%
QQQ
11.4%

Basic Materials

EXI
0.2%
QQQ
1.0%

Financial Services

EXI
0.1%
QQQ
0.2%

Consumer Defensive

EXI
0.1%
QQQ
6.4%

Energy

EXI

-

QQQ
0.5%

Healthcare

EXI

-

QQQ
3.7%

Real Estate

EXI

-

QQQ
0.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Industrials ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with EXI:
EXI vs. XLIEXI vs. FIDUEXI vs. IYJEXI vs. PSCCEXI vs. KXIEXI vs. SPYEXI vs. IEFA
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. SPMO

Return for Risk

EXI vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EXI
EXI Risk / Return Rank: 4343
Overall Rank
EXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4242
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
EXI Omega Ratio Rank: 4343
Omega Ratio Rank
EXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
EXI Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
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.

EXI vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) 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.

EXIQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.43
1.95

-0.52

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.10
2.57

-0.46

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.35

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.93

2.93

-1.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.68

10.86

-3.19

EXI vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EXI Sharpe Ratio is 1.43, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EXI 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

EXI vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EXI drawdown since its inception was -62.60%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EXI and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

EXIQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.60%

-82.97%

+20.37%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.35%

-11.96%

-0.39%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.38%

-22.77%

+8.39%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-27.23%

-35.12%

+7.89%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.56%

-35.12%

-4.44%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.28%

-4.25%

+1.97%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.94%

-32.73%

+22.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.10%

3.22%

-0.12%

Volatility

EXI vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) is 6.03%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that EXI 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

EXIQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.03%

9.17%

-3.14%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

14.19%

14.57%

-0.38%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

16.74%

17.96%

-1.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.12%

22.69%

-5.57%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.36%

22.42%

-4.06%

EXI vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

EXI has a 0.43% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

EXI vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

EXI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EXI
iShares Global Industrials ETF		1.08%1.32%1.47%1.84%1.63%1.42%1.26%1.72%2.21%1.48%1.75%1.95%
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

EXI and QQQ have a correlation of 0.65, 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 EXI (6.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EXI dropped -62.60% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.07% vs 13.04% for EXI. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, EXI has been the lower-risk option at 6.03%. 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 13.04%. 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 0.43% for EXI.

EXI has the higher dividend yield at 1.08%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.

EXI is categorized as Industrials Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. EXI tracks S&P Global 1200 / Industrials -SEC, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.43% for EXI and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 1.43), 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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