ITA vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ITA (iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITA is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ITA returned 14.86%/yr vs 21.59%/yr for QQQ. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ITA charges 0.38%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

ITA vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) 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, ITA achieves a 5.92% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.71% return. Over the past 10 years, ITA has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 14.86%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.59% annualized return.

ITA

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: 1.69%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 6M: 11.28%
• 1Y: 25.56%
• 3Y*: 26.35%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 14.86%

QQQ

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 16.71%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 35.78%
• 3Y*: 27.15%
• 5Y*: 16.98%
• 10Y*: 21.59%

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

ITA vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	5.92%	48.64%	15.81%	14.33%	9.96%	9.39%	-13.57%	30.51%	-7.22%	35.24%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ITA and QQQ is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.43
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.43
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2006	0.63

Over the past year, the correlation between ITA and QQQ has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.63, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

ITA vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITA	QQQ
Industrials	99.8%	2.8%
Technology	0.1%	53.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

ITA vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITA

ITA Risk / Return Rank: 36
ITA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
ITA Omega Ratio Rank: 35
ITA Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
ITA Martin Ratio Rank: 32

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

ITA vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) 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.

	ITA	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.22	2.15	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.81	2.77	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.38	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.62	3.00	-1.38
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.35	11.43	-7.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ITA vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITA Sharpe Ratio is 1.22, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITA 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

	ITA	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.22	2.15	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.81	0.76	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.97	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.40	+0.10

Drawdowns

ITA vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITA drawdown since its inception was -59.72%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITA and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITA	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-59.72%	-82.97%	+23.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.82%	-11.96%	-3.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.82%	-22.77%	+6.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.72%	-35.12%	+16.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-51.00%	-35.12%	-15.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.25%	-4.03%	-5.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.46%	-32.77%	+23.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.89%	3.14%	+2.75%

Volatility

ITA vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 7.09% and 6.84%, 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

	ITA	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.09%	6.84%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.68%	13.20%	+4.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.12%	16.74%	+4.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.07%	22.49%	-2.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.17%	22.36%	+0.81%

ITA vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITA has a 0.38% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITA vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ITA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITA iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.47%	0.55%	0.85%	0.93%	0.95%	0.82%	1.07%	1.54%	1.13%	0.91%	1.07%	1.04%
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

Can I hold both ITA and QQQ in my portfolio?

ITA and QQQ have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITA or QQQ?

ITA has higher volatility (7.09%) compared to QQQ (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITA dropped -59.72% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, ITA or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.59% vs 14.86% for ITA. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITA or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.59% return vs 14.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITA or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for ITA.

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

ITA has the higher dividend yield at 0.47%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between ITA and QQQ?

ITA is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. ITA tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.38% for ITA and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.22), 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.