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IJR vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IJR vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

IJR (iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IJR is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IJR returned 11.16%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IJR charges 0.06%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

IJR vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IJR achieves a 19.73% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, IJR has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.16%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.

IJR

1D
0.97%
1M
6.20%
YTD
19.73%
6M
16.47%
1Y
34.35%
3Y*
14.75%
5Y*
6.25%
10Y*
11.16%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.93%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
35.82%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IJR vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		19.73%5.89%8.63%16.06%-16.20%26.58%11.28%22.82%-8.51%13.15%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between IJR and QQQ is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.66

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.62

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2000

0.74

The correlation between IJR and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (3 years) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IJR vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IJR
QQQ

Financial Services

16.8%
0.2%

Industrials

15.5%
2.8%

Technology

15.5%
53.8%

Consumer Cyclical

13.4%
12.3%

Healthcare

11.1%
4.2%

Real Estate

7.6%
0.1%

Energy

5.9%
0.6%

Basic Materials

5.1%
1.1%

Communication Services

3.6%
15.8%

Consumer Defensive

3.5%
7.7%

Utilities

2.0%
1.4%

Financial Services

IJR
16.8%
QQQ
0.2%

Industrials

IJR
15.5%
QQQ
2.8%

Technology

IJR
15.5%
QQQ
53.8%

Consumer Cyclical

IJR
13.4%
QQQ
12.3%

Healthcare

IJR
11.1%
QQQ
4.2%

Real Estate

IJR
7.6%
QQQ
0.1%

Energy

IJR
5.9%
QQQ
0.6%

Basic Materials

IJR
5.1%
QQQ
1.1%

Communication Services

IJR
3.6%
QQQ
15.8%

Consumer Defensive

IJR
3.5%
QQQ
7.7%

Utilities

IJR
2.0%
QQQ
1.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with IJR:
IJR vs. IWMIJR vs. VBIJR vs. AVUVIJR vs. IJSIJR vs. IJHIJR vs. SCHAIJR vs. VBR
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

IJR vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IJR
IJR Risk / Return Rank: 7474
Overall Rank
IJR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6969
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IJR Sortino Ratio Rank: 7272
Sortino Ratio Rank
IJR Omega Ratio Rank: 6464
Omega Ratio Rank
IJR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8484
Calmar Ratio Rank
IJR Martin Ratio Rank: 7979
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IJR vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) 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.

IJRQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.94
2.09

-0.15

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.80
2.73

+0.07

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

1.37

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.97

3.01

+0.97

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.35

11.22

+2.13

IJR vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IJR Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IJR 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.

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Drawdowns

IJR vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IJR drawdown since its inception was -58.15%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IJR and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

IJRQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.15%

-82.97%

+24.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.68%

-11.96%

+3.28%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.02%

-22.77%

-5.25%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.02%

-35.12%

+7.10%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-44.36%

-35.12%

-9.24%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-3.33%

+3.33%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.27%

-32.75%

+23.48%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.59%

3.20%

-0.61%

Volatility

IJR vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) is 5.18%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that IJR 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.

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Volatility by Period

IJRQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.18%

7.56%

-2.38%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.97%

13.81%

-1.84%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.76%

17.19%

+0.57%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.43%

22.55%

-1.12%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.92%

22.38%

+0.54%

IJR vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IJR has a 0.06% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IJR vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

IJR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IJR
iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF		1.11%1.44%2.05%1.31%1.41%1.53%1.11%1.44%1.58%1.20%1.22%1.48%
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

IJR and QQQ have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to IJR (5.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IJR dropped -58.15% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 11.16% for IJR. On fees, IJR is cheaper at 0.06% per year. On volatility, IJR has been the lower-risk option at 5.18%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.79% return vs 11.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IJR is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.

IJR has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

IJR is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. IJR tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.06% for IJR and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.94), 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.

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