IWF vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

IWF (iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IWF is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Russell 1000 Growth Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IWF returned 18.49%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.18% expense ratio.

Performance

IWF vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) 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, IWF achieves a 7.11% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, IWF has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 18.49%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

IWF

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: 5.68%
• YTD: 7.11%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 25.60%
• 3Y*: 24.80%
• 5Y*: 15.24%
• 10Y*: 18.49%

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)

IWF vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	7.11%	18.33%	33.12%	42.59%	-29.31%	27.43%	38.25%	35.86%	-1.67%	29.95%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between IWF and QQQ is 0.95, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 30, 2000	0.92

The correlation between IWF and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

IWF vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IWF	QQQ
Technology	53.2%	53.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.7%	12.3%
Communication Services	12.3%	15.8%
Healthcare	7.0%	4.2%
Industrials	5.0%	2.8%
Financial Services	4.9%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	2.5%	7.7%
Utilities	1.1%	1.4%
Real Estate	0.4%	0.1%
Energy	0.4%	0.6%
Basic Materials	0.3%	1.1%

Return for Risk

IWF vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

IWF

IWF Risk / Return Rank: 40
IWF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
IWF Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
IWF Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IWF Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
IWF Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

IWF vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) 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.

	IWF	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.64	-0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.29	3.45	-1.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.45	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.58	3.51	-1.93
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.28	13.49	-8.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IWF vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IWF Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IWF 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

	IWF	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.64	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.81	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	0.99	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.41	-0.01

Drawdowns

IWF vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IWF drawdown since its inception was -64.25%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IWF and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	IWF	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.25%	-82.97%	+18.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.27%	-11.96%	-4.31%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.36%	-22.77%	-0.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.72%	-35.12%	+2.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.72%	-35.12%	+2.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.66%	-0.26%	-1.40%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.08%	-32.79%	+10.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.86%	3.11%	+1.75%

Volatility

IWF vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) is 3.61%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that IWF 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

	IWF	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.61%	4.49%	-0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.66%	12.10%	-0.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.44%	15.94%	-0.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.40%	22.38%	-0.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.97%	22.29%	-1.32%

IWF vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both IWF and QQQ have an expense ratio of 0.18%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

IWF vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

IWF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.33%, less than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWF iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF	0.33%	0.36%	0.46%	0.67%	0.91%	0.49%	0.66%	0.99%	1.27%	1.10%	1.43%	1.37%
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 IWF and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IWF 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, IWF or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to IWF (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IWF dropped -64.25% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, IWF or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 18.49% for IWF. Both ETFs have the same 0.18% expense ratio. On volatility, IWF has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IWF or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 18.49%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IWF or QQQ?

IWF and QQQ have the same expense ratio: 0.18% per year.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.33% for IWF.

What is the main difference between IWF and QQQ?

IWF is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. IWF tracks Russell 1000 Growth Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.67), 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.