IQQQ vs. QQQ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - IQQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index while QQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, IQQQ returned 21.93% vs 24.81% for QQQ. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. IQQQ charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) 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, IQQQ achieves a 10.08% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 12.26% return.

IQQQ

• 1D: 0.73%
• 1M: -3.19%
• 6M: 8.63%
• YTD: 10.08%
• 1Y: 21.93%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 18.05%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -3.45%
• 6M: 10.89%
• YTD: 12.26%
• 1Y: 24.81%
• 3Y*: 22.29%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: 20.44%
• ALL TIME*: 10.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	$2.00M	$2.37M	$2.93M
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	$30.32B	$28.40B	$31.45B

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	10.08%	17.11%	14.82%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	12.26%	20.77%	17.11%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQQ and QQQ is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2024	0.99

The correlation between IQQQ and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

IQQQ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IQQQ

IQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 44
IQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
IQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
IQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 40
IQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
IQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 47

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 49
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 45
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) 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.

	IQQQ	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	1.16	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.52	1.65	-0.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.21	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	1.88	-0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.26	6.00	-0.74

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQQQ 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

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQQQ drawdown since its inception was -20.41%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQQQ and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQQQ	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.41%	-82.97%	+62.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.25%	-11.96%	+0.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.56%	-7.69%	+0.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.71%	-32.62%	+28.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.77%	3.74%	+0.03%

Volatility

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 6.84% and 6.87%, 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

	IQQQ	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	6.87%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.11%	16.08%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.47%	19.38%	-0.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.30%	22.90%	-3.60%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.30%	22.50%	-3.20%

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQQQ has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

IQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.42%, more than QQQ's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	5.37%	10.34%	7.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.44%	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 IQQQ and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, IQQQ and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IQQQ or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to IQQQ (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQQQ dropped -20.41% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, IQQQ or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 24.81% vs 21.93% for IQQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQQQ or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 24.81% return vs 21.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQQQ or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for IQQQ.

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

IQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 5.37%, compared with 0.44% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between IQQQ and QQQ?

IQQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for IQQQ and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs 1.07), 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.