FNMA vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

FNMA (Federal National Mortgage Association) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, FNMA returned 11.83%/yr vs 21.19%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

FNMA vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) 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, FNMA achieves a -42.68% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.13% return. Over the past 10 years, FNMA has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.83%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.19% annualized return.

FNMA

• 1D: -2.84%
• 1M: -5.24%
• 6M: -43.32%
• YTD: -42.68%
• 1Y: -30.35%
• 3Y*: 140.88%
• 5Y*: 35.23%
• 10Y*: 11.83%

QQQ

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 13.75%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 29.05%
• 3Y*: 24.08%
• 5Y*: 15.10%
• 10Y*: 21.19%

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

FNMA vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FNMA Federal National Mortgage Association	-42.68%	227.13%	206.54%	202.77%	-56.90%	-65.69%	-23.40%	194.34%	-60.00%	-32.05%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.13%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between FNMA and QQQ is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.24

Return for Risk

FNMA vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FNMA

FNMA Risk / Return Rank: 33
FNMA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FNMA Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
FNMA Omega Ratio Rank: 36
FNMA Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
FNMA Martin Ratio Rank: 30

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 56
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.

FNMA vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) 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.

	FNMA	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.32	1.57	-1.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.10	2.13	-2.03
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.28	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.44	2.44	-2.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.75	8.74	-9.49

FNMA vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FNMA Sharpe Ratio is -0.32, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FNMA 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

FNMA vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FNMA drawdown since its inception was -99.74%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FNMA and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FNMA	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.74%	-82.97%	-16.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.76%	-11.96%	-57.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-69.76%	-22.77%	-46.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-74.01%	-35.12%	-38.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-92.13%	-35.12%	-57.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-91.60%	-4.51%	-87.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-46.25%	-32.67%	-13.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	40.60%	3.33%	+37.27%

Volatility

FNMA vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) has a higher volatility of 20.06% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.69%. This indicates that FNMA'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

	FNMA	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.06%	8.69%	+11.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	67.68%	15.40%	+52.28%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	95.20%	18.61%	+76.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	90.75%	22.80%	+67.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	82.07%	22.44%	+59.63%

Dividends

FNMA vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

FNMA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FNMA Federal National Mortgage Association	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	0.43%	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 FNMA and QQQ in my portfolio?

FNMA and QQQ have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FNMA or QQQ?

FNMA has higher volatility (20.06%) compared to QQQ (8.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FNMA dropped -99.74% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs -0.32), 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.