GFL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

GFL (GFL Environmental Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, GFL returned 4.71%/yr vs 15.26%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GFL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL) 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, GFL achieves a -7.62% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 15.19% return.

GFL

• 1D: 1.82%
• 1M: 9.73%
• 6M: -7.16%
• YTD: -7.62%
• 1Y: -16.23%
• 3Y*: 1.94%
• 5Y*: 4.71%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -1.64%
• 1M: -3.17%
• 6M: 13.80%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 1Y: 27.28%
• 3Y*: 23.36%
• 5Y*: 15.26%
• 10Y*: 21.01%

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

GFL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
GFL GFL Environmental Inc.	-7.62%	-3.44%	29.26%	18.24%	-22.65%	29.88%	67.01%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	15.19%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	46.01%

Correlation

The correlation between GFL and QQQ is -0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 3, 2020	0.32

The correlation between GFL and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.06 (1 year) to 0.35 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GFL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GFL

GFL Risk / Return Rank: 21
GFL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
GFL Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
GFL Omega Ratio Rank: 18
GFL Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
GFL Martin Ratio Rank: 24

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 53
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

GFL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL) 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.

	GFL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.59	1.47	-2.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.73	2.00	-2.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.91	1.26	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.48	2.29	-2.77
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.93	8.13	-9.06

GFL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GFL Sharpe Ratio is -0.59, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GFL 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

GFL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GFL drawdown since its inception was -42.76%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GFL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GFL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.76%	-82.97%	+40.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-34.20%	-11.96%	-22.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.88%	-22.77%	-12.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.76%	-35.12%	-7.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.03%	-5.29%	-17.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.57%	-32.66%	+18.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.46%	3.36%	+14.10%

Volatility

GFL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL) has a higher volatility of 10.92% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 7.53%. This indicates that GFL'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

	GFL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.92%	7.53%	+3.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.99%	15.52%	+8.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.40%	18.69%	+8.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.02%	22.81%	+7.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.05%	22.44%	+10.61%

Dividends

GFL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

GFL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.16%, less than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GFL GFL Environmental Inc.	0.16%	0.14%	0.12%	0.15%	0.16%	0.11%	0.10%	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 GFL and QQQ in my portfolio?

GFL and QQQ have a correlation of -0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GFL or QQQ?

GFL has higher volatility (10.92%) compared to QQQ (7.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GFL dropped -42.76% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs -0.59), 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.