HLT vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

HLT (Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, HLT returned 48.67%/yr vs 21.59%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

HLT vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) 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, HLT achieves a 18.69% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 16.71% return. Over the past 10 years, HLT has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 48.67%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 21.59% annualized return.

HLT

• 1D: -0.72%
• 1M: 7.58%
• YTD: 18.69%
• 6M: 26.36%
• 1Y: 35.01%
• 3Y*: 34.37%
• 5Y*: 22.25%
• 10Y*: 48.67%

QQQ

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 16.71%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 35.78%
• 3Y*: 27.15%
• 5Y*: 16.98%
• 10Y*: 21.59%

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

HLT vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
HLT Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.	18.69%	16.49%	36.11%	44.68%	-18.72%	40.20%	0.47%	55.48%	-9.40%	829.98%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between HLT and QQQ is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2013	0.48

Over the past year, the correlation between HLT and QQQ has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

HLT vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

HLT

HLT Risk / Return Rank: 82
HLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
HLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
HLT Omega Ratio Rank: 77
HLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
HLT Martin Ratio Rank: 84

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

HLT vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) 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.

	HLT	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.52	2.15	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.77	-0.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.38	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	3.00	+0.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.93	11.43	-3.50
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HLT vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.52, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HLT 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

	HLT	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.52	2.15	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.76	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.97	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.40	-0.17

Drawdowns

HLT vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HLT drawdown since its inception was -50.82%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HLT and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	HLT	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.82%	-82.97%	+32.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.29%	-11.96%	+1.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.35%	-22.77%	-3.58%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.65%	-35.12%	+2.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.82%	-35.12%	-15.70%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.72%	-4.03%	+3.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.73%	-32.77%	+23.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.43%	3.14%	+1.29%

Volatility

HLT vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (HLT) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 6.93% and 6.84%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HLT	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.93%	6.84%	+0.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.33%	13.20%	+4.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.12%	16.74%	+6.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.07%	22.49%	+4.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	181.03%	22.36%	+158.67%

Dividends

HLT vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

HLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLT Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc.	0.18%	0.21%	0.24%	0.33%	0.36%	0.00%	0.13%	0.54%	0.84%	31.40%	1.03%	0.65%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.39%	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 HLT and QQQ in my portfolio?

HLT and QQQ have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, HLT or QQQ?

HLT has higher volatility (6.93%) compared to QQQ (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, HLT dropped -50.82% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.52), 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.