IETC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IETC (iShares Evolved U.S. Technology ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IETC is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by iShares, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. IETC is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, IETC returned 17.84%/yr vs 17.86%/yr for QQQ. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. Both charge a 0.18% expense ratio.

Performance

IETC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Evolved U.S. Technology ETF (IETC) 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, IETC achieves a 12.03% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.71% return.

IETC

• 1D: -1.63%
• 1M: 9.01%
• YTD: 12.03%
• 6M: 10.27%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 29.91%
• 5Y*: 17.84%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 19.19%
• 1Y: 40.74%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

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

IETC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
IETC iShares Evolved U.S. Technology ETF	12.03%	19.56%	37.57%	54.35%	-32.78%	29.73%	46.59%	43.09%	-3.52%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-2.02%

Correlation

The correlation between IETC and QQQ is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 26, 2018	0.95

The correlation between IETC and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

IETC vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IETC	QQQ
Technology	79.1%	53.8%
Communication Services	8.4%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	4.7%	12.3%
Industrials	3.7%	2.8%
Financial Services	3.1%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.7%	0.1%
Healthcare	0.1%	4.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

IETC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

IETC

IETC Risk / Return Rank: 33
IETC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
IETC Sortino Ratio Rank: 36
IETC Omega Ratio Rank: 36
IETC Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
IETC Martin Ratio Rank: 27

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

IETC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Evolved U.S. Technology ETF (IETC) 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.

	IETC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	2.57	-1.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	3.37	-1.53
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.44	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	3.42	-2.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.73	13.14	-9.41
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IETC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IETC Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IETC 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

	IETC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.33	2.57	-1.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.80	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.98	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.86	0.41	+0.45

Drawdowns

IETC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IETC drawdown since its inception was -38.48%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IETC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IETC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.48%	-82.97%	+44.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.19%	-11.96%	-9.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.17%	-22.77%	-2.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.48%	-35.12%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.84%	-0.74%	-3.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.13%	-32.78%	+24.65%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.51%	3.11%	+4.40%

Volatility

IETC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares Evolved U.S. Technology ETF (IETC) has a higher volatility of 6.78% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.51%. This indicates that IETC's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IETC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.78%	4.51%	+2.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.57%	12.10%	+4.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.09%	15.94%	+5.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.53%	22.37%	+2.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.38%	22.29%	+3.09%

IETC vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IETC and QQQ have an expense ratio of 0.18%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IETC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

IETC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.35%, less than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IETC iShares Evolved U.S. Technology ETF	0.35%	0.38%	0.52%	0.79%	0.92%	0.73%	0.48%	0.95%	1.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	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 IETC and QQQ in my portfolio?

IETC and QQQ have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IETC or QQQ?

IETC has higher volatility (6.78%) compared to QQQ (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IETC dropped -38.48% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, IETC or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 17.86% vs 17.84% for IETC. Both ETFs have the same 0.18% expense ratio. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IETC or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 17.86% return vs 17.84%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IETC or QQQ?

IETC and QQQ have the same expense ratio: 0.18% per year.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.35% for IETC.

What is the main difference between IETC and QQQ?

IETC is categorized as Technology Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.33), 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.