GLD vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

GLD (SPDR Gold Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GLD is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GLD returned 12.80%/yr vs 21.27%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.05 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. GLD charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

GLD vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) 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, GLD achieves a -0.02% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, GLD has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 12.80%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.27% annualized return.

GLD

• 1D: -3.65%
• 1M: -8.06%
• YTD: -0.02%
• 6M: 2.54%
• 1Y: 28.10%
• 3Y*: 29.53%
• 5Y*: 17.47%
• 10Y*: 12.80%

QQQ

• 1D: -4.80%
• 1M: 1.34%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 35.00%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 16.70%
• 10Y*: 21.27%

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

GLD vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	-0.02%	63.68%	26.66%	12.69%	-0.77%	-4.15%	24.81%	17.86%	-1.94%	12.81%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	14.92%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between GLD and QQQ is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.06
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2004	0.05

The correlation between GLD and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.05 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

GLD vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GLD	QQQ
Basic Materials	100.0%	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	53.8%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

GLD vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GLD

GLD Risk / Return Rank: 29
GLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
GLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
GLD Omega Ratio Rank: 33
GLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
GLD Martin Ratio Rank: 26

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 62
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

GLD vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) 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.

	GLD	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.05	2.11	-1.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	2.72	-1.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.37	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.40	2.94	-1.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.56	11.22	-7.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GLD vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.05, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GLD 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	GLD	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.05	2.11	-1.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.97	0.75	+0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.80	0.95	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.59	0.40	+0.19

Drawdowns

GLD vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GLD drawdown since its inception was -45.56%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GLD and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GLD	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.56%	-82.97%	+37.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.10%	-11.96%	-8.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.10%	-22.77%	+2.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.03%	-35.12%	+14.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-22.00%	-35.12%	+13.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.10%	-5.51%	-14.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.16%	-32.78%	+16.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.91%	3.13%	+4.78%

Volatility

GLD vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) is 5.66%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.68%. This indicates that GLD 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

	GLD	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.66%	6.68%	-1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.47%	13.12%	+10.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.86%	16.69%	+10.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.07%	22.47%	-4.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.00%	22.34%	-6.34%

GLD vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

GLD has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

GLD vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

GLD has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.40%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GLD SPDR Gold Shares	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	0.40%	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 GLD and QQQ in my portfolio?

GLD and QQQ have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GLD or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.68%) compared to GLD (5.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GLD dropped -45.56% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, GLD or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.27% vs 12.80% for GLD. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, GLD has been the lower-risk option at 5.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GLD or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.27% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GLD or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for GLD.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.40%, compared with 0.00% for GLD.

What is the main difference between GLD and QQQ?

GLD is categorized as Gold, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. GLD tracks LBMA Gold Price PM, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for GLD and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs 1.05), 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.