GNL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

GNL (Global Net Lease, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, GNL returned 1.70%/yr vs 22.36%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GNL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global Net Lease, Inc. (GNL) 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, GNL achieves a 9.43% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.89% return. Over the past 10 years, GNL has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 1.70%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.36% annualized return.

GNL

• 1D: -1.53%
• 1M: -5.05%
• YTD: 9.43%
• 6M: 11.37%
• 1Y: 34.96%
• 3Y*: 10.15%
• 5Y*: -2.25%
• 10Y*: 1.70%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: 26.78%
• 5Y*: 16.13%
• 10Y*: 22.36%

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

GNL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GNL Global Net Lease, Inc.	9.43%	32.44%	-15.34%	-8.95%	-7.46%	-2.35%	-6.07%	26.16%	-4.53%	-4.22%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.89%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between GNL and QQQ is 0.10, 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	0.10
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.18
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 2, 2015	0.30

The correlation between GNL and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.10 (1 year) to 0.30 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GNL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GNL

GNL Risk / Return Rank: 84
GNL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
GNL Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
GNL Omega Ratio Rank: 80
GNL Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
GNL Martin Ratio Rank: 86

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

GNL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global Net Lease, Inc. (GNL) 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.

	GNL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	1.85	-0.29
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.43	2.45	-0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.33	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.71	2.77	+0.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.76	10.21	-1.45

GNL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GNL Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GNL 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

GNL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GNL drawdown since its inception was -58.38%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GNL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GNL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-58.38%	-82.97%	+24.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.46%	-11.96%	+2.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.59%	-22.77%	-12.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.87%	-35.12%	-14.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.38%	-35.12%	-23.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.27%	-3.89%	-13.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.86%	-32.72%	+12.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.00%	3.24%	+0.76%

Volatility

GNL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global Net Lease, Inc. (GNL) is 5.04%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.02%. This indicates that GNL 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

	GNL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.04%	9.02%	-3.98%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.25%	14.55%	-0.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.59%	17.91%	+4.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.68%	22.69%	+5.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.26%	22.41%	+10.85%

Dividends

GNL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

GNL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.42%, more than QQQ's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GNL Global Net Lease, Inc.	8.42%	9.83%	16.15%	15.62%	12.73%	10.47%	10.11%	8.75%	12.09%	9.77%	9.07%	4.64%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.42%	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 GNL and QQQ in my portfolio?

GNL and QQQ have a correlation of 0.10, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GNL or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.02%) compared to GNL (5.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GNL dropped -58.38% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs 1.56), 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.