FTRB vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

FTRB (Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - FTRB is a Intermediate Core-Plus Bond fund actively managed by Federated, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. FTRB is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past year, FTRB returned 5.00% vs 40.91% for QQQ. At a 0.09 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. FTRB charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

FTRB vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) 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, FTRB achieves a 0.31% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.41% return.

FTRB

• 1D: -0.18%
• 1M: 0.67%
• YTD: 0.31%
• 6M: 0.47%
• 1Y: 5.00%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 40.91%
• 3Y*: 27.47%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 22.48%

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

FTRB vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
FTRB Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF	0.31%	7.60%	2.62%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	29.11%

Correlation

The correlation between FTRB and QQQ is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2024	0.09

The correlation between FTRB and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.09 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTRB vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTRB

FTRB Risk / Return Rank: 39
FTRB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
FTRB Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
FTRB Omega Ratio Rank: 40
FTRB Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
FTRB Martin Ratio Rank: 36

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

FTRB vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) 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.

	FTRB	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.40	2.33	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.06	3.03	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.41	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.79	3.44	-1.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.30	12.79	-7.49

FTRB vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTRB Sharpe Ratio is 1.40, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTRB 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

FTRB vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTRB drawdown since its inception was -4.83%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTRB and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTRB	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.83%	-82.97%	+78.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.80%	-11.96%	+9.16%
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	-1.35%	-0.99%	-0.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.29%	-32.73%	+31.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.94%	3.21%	-2.27%

Volatility

FTRB vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF (FTRB) is 0.96%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that FTRB 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

	FTRB	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.96%	8.47%	-7.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.67%	14.20%	-11.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.58%	17.67%	-14.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.54%	22.64%	-18.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.54%	22.43%	-17.89%

FTRB vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTRB has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTRB vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

FTRB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.29%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTRB Federated Hermes Total Return Bond ETF	4.29%	4.46%	4.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	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 FTRB and QQQ in my portfolio?

FTRB and QQQ have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTRB or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to FTRB (0.96%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTRB dropped -4.83% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, FTRB or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 40.91% vs 5.00% for FTRB. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, FTRB has been the lower-risk option at 0.96%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, FTRB or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 40.91% return vs 5.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, FTRB or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for FTRB.

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

FTRB has the higher dividend yield at 4.29%, compared with 0.49% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between FTRB and QQQ?

FTRB is categorized as Intermediate Core-Plus Bond, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Federated and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for FTRB and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.40), 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.