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EXI vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EXI vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 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 12.43%/yr vs 21.94%/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 10.88% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, EXI has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 12.43%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

EXI

1D
-0.21%
1M
1.21%
YTD
10.88%
6M
13.08%
1Y
22.09%
3Y*
20.74%
5Y*
11.17%
10Y*
12.43%

QQQ

1D
-0.26%
1M
10.60%
YTD
21.30%
6M
19.66%
1Y
41.82%
3Y*
28.78%
5Y*
17.97%
10Y*
21.94%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EXI vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EXI
iShares Global Industrials ETF		10.88%25.88%12.47%22.04%-12.36%17.37%11.33%27.13%-14.41%25.16%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		21.30%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 0.66, 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

0.66

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 28, 2006

0.72

The correlation between EXI and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.72 - a consistent structural relationship.

EXI vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EXI
QQQ

Industrials

92.8%
2.8%

Utilities

2.9%
1.4%

Technology

2.7%
53.8%

Communication Services

0.6%
15.8%

Consumer Cyclical

0.6%
12.3%

Basic Materials

0.2%
1.1%

Financial Services

0.1%
0.2%

Consumer Defensive

0.1%
7.7%

Energy

-

0.6%

Healthcare

-

4.2%

Real Estate

-

0.1%

Industrials

EXI
92.8%
QQQ
2.8%

Utilities

EXI
2.9%
QQQ
1.4%

Technology

EXI
2.7%
QQQ
53.8%

Communication Services

EXI
0.6%
QQQ
15.8%

Consumer Cyclical

EXI
0.6%
QQQ
12.3%

Basic Materials

EXI
0.2%
QQQ
1.1%

Financial Services

EXI
0.1%
QQQ
0.2%

Consumer Defensive

EXI
0.1%
QQQ
7.7%

Energy

EXI

-

QQQ
0.6%

Healthcare

EXI

-

QQQ
4.2%

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. QQQI

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: 4040
Overall Rank
EXI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3838
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EXI Sortino Ratio Rank: 4040
Sortino Ratio Rank
EXI Omega Ratio Rank: 3939
Omega Ratio Rank
EXI Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
EXI Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
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.

EXIQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.39
2.64

-1.24

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.09
3.45

-1.36

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.26

1.45

-0.20

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.80

3.51

-1.72

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.30

13.49

-6.19

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EXI vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EXI Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. 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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

EXIQQQDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.39

2.64

-1.24

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.66

0.81

-0.15

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.68

0.99

-0.31

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.42

0.41

+0.01

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

-3.16%

-0.26%

-2.90%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.97%

-32.79%

+22.82%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.03%

3.11%

-0.08%

Volatility

EXI vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Global Industrials ETF (EXI) has a higher volatility of 5.33% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that EXI'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.

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Volatility by Period

EXIQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.33%

4.49%

+0.84%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.42%

12.10%

+1.32%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

15.92%

15.94%

-0.02%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.99%

22.38%

-5.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.41%

22.29%

-3.88%

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 1.19%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EXI
iShares Global Industrials ETF		1.19%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		0.38%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 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EXI has higher volatility (5.33%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EXI dropped -62.60% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 12.43% for EXI. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. 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 21.94% return vs 12.43%. 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 1.19%, compared with 0.38% 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 (2.64 vs 1.39), 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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