ITEQ vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

ITEQ (BlueStar Israel Technology ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ITEQ is a Technology Equities fund tracking the BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ITEQ returned 10.76%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ITEQ charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) 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, ITEQ achieves a 10.21% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, ITEQ has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 10.76%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.07% annualized return.

ITEQ

• 1D: -1.92%
• 1M: -2.89%
• YTD: 10.21%
• 6M: 8.98%
• 1Y: 19.31%
• 3Y*: 12.40%
• 5Y*: -1.70%
• 10Y*: 10.76%

QQQ

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 16.45%
• 6M: 14.99%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 26.05%
• 5Y*: 16.01%
• 10Y*: 22.07%

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

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ITEQ BlueStar Israel Technology ETF	10.21%	13.71%	11.70%	4.70%	-30.36%	-8.04%	58.96%	37.59%	-0.63%	26.87%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.45%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between ITEQ and QQQ is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 3, 2015	0.75

The correlation between ITEQ and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ITEQ	QQQ
Technology	59.0%	58.7%
Industrials	17.0%	2.6%
Utilities	9.1%	1.2%
Financial Services	5.4%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	11.4%
Healthcare	2.5%	3.7%
Energy	1.6%	0.5%
Communication Services	1.4%	14.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

ITEQ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ITEQ

ITEQ Risk / Return Rank: 26
ITEQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
ITEQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ITEQ Omega Ratio Rank: 22
ITEQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
ITEQ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
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.

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) 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.

	ITEQ	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.81	1.95	-1.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.24	2.57	-1.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.35	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.48	2.93	-1.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.81	10.86	-7.05

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITEQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.81, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITEQ 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

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ITEQ drawdown since its inception was -54.63%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ITEQ and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ITEQ	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.63%	-82.97%	+28.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.07%	-11.96%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.78%	-22.77%	-4.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.29%	-35.12%	-15.17%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.63%	-35.12%	-19.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.35%	-4.25%	-14.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.50%	-32.73%	+14.23%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.08%	3.22%	+1.86%

Volatility

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

BlueStar Israel Technology ETF (ITEQ) has a higher volatility of 10.20% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 9.17%. This indicates that ITEQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ITEQ	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.20%	9.17%	+1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.83%	14.57%	+4.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.89%	17.96%	+5.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.20%	22.69%	+2.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.49%	22.42%	+1.07%

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ITEQ has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

ITEQ vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

ITEQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.77%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITEQ BlueStar Israel Technology ETF	0.77%	0.85%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 ITEQ and QQQ in my portfolio?

ITEQ and QQQ have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ITEQ or QQQ?

ITEQ has higher volatility (10.20%) compared to QQQ (9.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ITEQ dropped -54.63% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, ITEQ or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.07% vs 10.76% for ITEQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 9.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ITEQ or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 22.07% return vs 10.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ITEQ or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for ITEQ.

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

ITEQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.77%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between ITEQ and QQQ?

ITEQ is categorized as Technology Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. ITEQ tracks BlueStar Israel Global Technology Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: ETFMG and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for ITEQ and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.81), 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.