GSL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

GSL (Global Ship Lease, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, GSL returned 18.12%/yr vs 22.01%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

GSL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL) 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, GSL achieves a 13.93% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 15.95% return. Over the past 10 years, GSL has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 18.12%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.01% annualized return.

GSL

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 1.76%
• YTD: 13.93%
• 6M: 15.61%
• 1Y: 59.65%
• 3Y*: 36.81%
• 5Y*: 21.41%
• 10Y*: 18.12%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 15.95%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 32.28%
• 3Y*: 25.87%
• 5Y*: 15.94%
• 10Y*: 22.01%

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

GSL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GSL Global Ship Lease, Inc.	13.93%	73.47%	18.09%	28.97%	-22.16%	100.35%	34.65%	78.02%	-46.55%	-22.67%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	15.95%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between GSL and QQQ is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.28
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2008	0.24

The correlation between GSL and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.23 (10 years) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

GSL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

GSL

GSL Risk / Return Rank: 88
GSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
GSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
GSL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
GSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
GSL Martin Ratio Rank: 89

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

GSL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	GSL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.81	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.41	+0.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.32	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.51	2.71	+0.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.38	10.01	+0.37

GSL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GSL Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GSL 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

GSL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GSL drawdown since its inception was -95.26%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	GSL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-95.26%	-82.97%	-12.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.09%	-11.96%	-5.13%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.82%	-22.77%	-13.05%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.50%	-35.12%	-12.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-86.50%	-35.12%	-51.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.09%	-4.66%	-2.43%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.63%	-32.72%	-25.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.76%	3.23%	+2.53%

Volatility

GSL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global Ship Lease, Inc. (GSL) is 7.98%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that GSL 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

	GSL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.98%	9.17%	-1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.64%	14.54%	+6.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.82%	17.95%	+9.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.90%	22.69%	+14.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	54.57%	22.41%	+32.16%

Dividends

GSL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

GSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.20%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GSL Global Ship Lease, Inc.	6.20%	6.06%	7.56%	7.57%	8.26%	3.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	7.69%
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 GSL and QQQ in my portfolio?

GSL and QQQ have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GSL or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to GSL (7.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSL dropped -95.26% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GSL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.81), 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.