ICE vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

ICE (Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, ICE returned 11.31%/yr vs 22.36%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ICE vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) 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, ICE achieves a -22.60% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.89% return. Over the past 10 years, ICE has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.31%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.36% annualized return.

ICE

• 1D: -4.25%
• 1M: -17.05%
• YTD: -22.60%
• 6M: -22.92%
• 1Y: -30.16%
• 3Y*: 5.49%
• 5Y*: 2.18%
• 10Y*: 11.31%

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)

ICE vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.	-22.60%	9.92%	17.46%	27.12%	-23.91%	19.94%	26.15%	24.47%	8.11%	26.60%
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 ICE and QQQ is 0.07, 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	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 16, 2005	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between ICE and QQQ has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

ICE vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ICE

ICE Risk / Return Rank: 3
ICE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
ICE Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
ICE Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ICE Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
ICE Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

ICE vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) 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.

	ICE	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.32	1.85	-3.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.80	2.45	-4.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.78	1.33	-0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.91	2.77	-3.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-2.06	10.21	-12.28

ICE vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICE Sharpe Ratio is -1.32, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICE 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

ICE vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICE drawdown since its inception was -73.94%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICE and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ICE	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.94%	-82.97%	+9.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.10%	-11.96%	-21.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-33.10%	-22.77%	-10.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.32%	-35.12%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.32%	-35.12%	+0.80%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-33.10%	-3.89%	-29.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.48%	-32.72%	+16.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.63%	3.24%	+11.39%

Volatility

ICE vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (ICE) is 8.54%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.02%. This indicates that ICE 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

	ICE	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.54%	9.02%	-0.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.70%	14.55%	+5.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.88%	17.91%	+4.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.29%	22.69%	-1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.28%	22.41%	-0.13%

Dividends

ICE vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ICE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.61%, more than QQQ's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ICE Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.	1.61%	1.19%	1.21%	1.31%	1.48%	0.97%	1.04%	1.19%	1.27%	1.13%	1.21%	1.13%
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 ICE and QQQ in my portfolio?

ICE and QQQ have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ICE or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.02%) compared to ICE (8.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICE dropped -73.94% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs -1.32), 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.