IIIN vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

IIIN (Insteel Industries, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, IIIN returned 3.19%/yr vs 21.19%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.29 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

IIIN vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) 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, IIIN achieves a -9.01% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.13% return. Over the past 10 years, IIIN has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 3.19%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.19% annualized return.

IIIN

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: -0.45%
• 6M: -14.34%
• YTD: -9.01%
• 1Y: -24.73%
• 3Y*: 2.26%
• 5Y*: 2.62%
• 10Y*: 3.19%

QQQ

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 13.75%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 29.05%
• 3Y*: 24.08%
• 5Y*: 15.10%
• 10Y*: 21.19%

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

IIIN vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IIIN Insteel Industries, Inc.	-9.01%	21.53%	-26.77%	50.01%	-25.64%	88.28%	10.88%	-10.98%	-13.93%	-20.22%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.13%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between IIIN and QQQ is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.29

Return for Risk

IIIN vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

IIIN

IIIN Risk / Return Rank: 17
IIIN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
IIIN Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
IIIN Omega Ratio Rank: 19
IIIN Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
IIIN Martin Ratio Rank: 8

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

IIIN vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) 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.

	IIIN	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	1.57	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.51	2.13	-2.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.92	1.28	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.69	2.44	-3.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.42	8.74	-10.16

IIIN vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IIIN Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IIIN 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

IIIN vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IIIN drawdown since its inception was -96.63%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IIIN and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IIIN	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.63%	-82.97%	-13.66%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-35.83%	-11.96%	-23.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.98%	-22.77%	-14.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-47.32%	-35.12%	-12.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-74.37%	-35.12%	-39.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.86%	-4.51%	-20.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.73%	-32.67%	-6.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	17.64%	3.33%	+14.31%

Volatility

IIIN vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Insteel Industries, Inc. (IIIN) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 8.69% and 8.69%, 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

	IIIN	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.69%	8.69%	0.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	35.61%	15.40%	+20.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.02%	18.61%	+24.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.10%	22.80%	+16.30%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.84%	22.44%	+21.40%

Dividends

IIIN vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

IIIN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.89%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IIIN Insteel Industries, Inc.	3.89%	3.54%	4.15%	6.84%	7.70%	5.33%	7.27%	0.56%	0.49%	0.42%	3.84%	5.35%
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 IIIN and QQQ in my portfolio?

IIIN and QQQ have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IIIN or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.69%) compared to IIIN (8.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IIIN dropped -96.63% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs -0.58), 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.