IQQQ vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 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 38.70% vs 41.82% for QQQ. With a 0.99 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. 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 18.72% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

IQQQ

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: 9.88%
• YTD: 18.72%
• 6M: 17.39%
• 1Y: 38.70%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	18.72%	17.11%	13.39%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	15.73%

Correlation

The correlation between IQQQ and QQQ is 0.99 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 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.

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQQQ	QQQ
Technology	53.8%	53.8%
Communication Services	15.8%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	7.7%
Healthcare	4.2%	4.2%
Industrials	2.8%	2.8%
Utilities	1.4%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.1%
Energy	0.6%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

IQQQ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQQQ

IQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 70
IQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
IQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
IQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
IQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
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.

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.

	IQQQ	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	2.64	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.27	3.45	-0.18
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.45	-0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.49	3.51	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.41	13.49	-1.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IQQQ	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	2.64	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.25	0.41	+0.83

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	-11.13%	-11.96%	+0.83%
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	-0.30%	-0.26%	-0.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.64%	-32.79%	+29.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.13%	3.11%	+0.02%

Volatility

IQQQ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) is 3.99%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that IQQQ 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

	IQQQ	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.99%	4.49%	-0.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.54%	12.10%	-0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	15.94%	-0.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.57%	22.38%	-3.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.57%	22.29%	-3.72%

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 4.42%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	4.42%	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	0.38%	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 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 (4.49%) compared to IQQQ (3.99%). 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 41.82% vs 38.70% for IQQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 3.99%. 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 41.82% return vs 38.70%. 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 4.42%, compared with 0.38% 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 (2.64 vs 2.53), 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.