EXPO vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

EXPO (Exponent, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, EXPO returned 8.87%/yr vs 22.01%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

EXPO vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) 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, EXPO achieves a -15.80% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 15.95% return. Over the past 10 years, EXPO has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 8.87%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.01% annualized return.

EXPO

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 0.82%
• YTD: -15.80%
• 6M: -18.51%
• 1Y: -22.05%
• 3Y*: -13.71%
• 5Y*: -7.27%
• 10Y*: 8.87%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 15.95%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 32.28%
• 3Y*: 25.87%
• 5Y*: 15.94%
• 10Y*: 22.01%

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

EXPO vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EXPO Exponent, Inc.	-15.80%	-20.81%	2.42%	-10.14%	-14.25%	30.67%	31.74%	37.51%	44.22%	19.46%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	15.95%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between EXPO and QQQ is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.35

Over the past year, the correlation between EXPO and QQQ has dropped to 0.14 - well below their long-term average of 0.35, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

EXPO vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

EXPO

EXPO Risk / Return Rank: 12
EXPO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 12
EXPO Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
EXPO Omega Ratio Rank: 15
EXPO Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
EXPO Martin Ratio Rank: 5

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

EXPO vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) 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.

	EXPO	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.71	1.81	-2.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.96	2.41	-3.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.32	-0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.68	2.71	-3.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.58	10.01	-11.60

EXPO vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EXPO Sharpe Ratio is -0.71, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EXPO 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

EXPO vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EXPO drawdown since its inception was -86.44%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EXPO and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	EXPO	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.44%	-82.97%	-3.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.45%	-11.96%	-20.49%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-52.37%	-22.77%	-29.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.79%	-35.12%	-19.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.79%	-35.12%	-19.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-50.94%	-4.66%	-46.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.74%	-32.72%	-0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.94%	3.23%	+10.71%

Volatility

EXPO vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) is 8.68%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that EXPO 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

	EXPO	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.68%	9.17%	-0.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	25.66%	14.54%	+11.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.25%	17.95%	+13.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.05%	22.69%	+7.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.93%	22.41%	+6.52%

Dividends

EXPO vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

EXPO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.11%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EXPO Exponent, Inc.	2.11%	1.73%	1.26%	1.18%	0.97%	0.69%	0.84%	0.93%	1.03%	1.18%	1.19%	1.20%
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 EXPO and QQQ in my portfolio?

EXPO and QQQ have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EXPO or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to EXPO (8.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EXPO dropped -86.44% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs -0.71), 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.