MO vs. QQQ
MO (Altria Group, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, MO returned 7.79%/yr vs 21.59%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
MO vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, MO achieves a 25.71% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 16.71% return. Over the past 10 years, MO has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 7.79%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.59% annualized return.
MO
- 1D
- -1.25%
- 1M
- 4.65%
- YTD
- 25.71%
- 6M
- 27.02%
- 1Y
- 28.81%
- 3Y*
- 25.85%
- 5Y*
- 16.08%
- 10Y*
- 7.79%
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%
MO vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MO Altria Group, Inc. | 25.71% | 18.17% | 40.76% | -3.70% | 4.37% | 24.18% | -10.21% | 7.87% | -27.14% | 9.45% |
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 MO and QQQ is -0.29, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.29 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.11 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.01 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.11 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999 | 0.23 |
The correlation between MO and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.29 (1 year) to 0.23 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
MO vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
MO
QQQ
MO vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Altria Group, Inc. (MO) 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.
| MO | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.38 | -0.13 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.76 | 3.00 | -1.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.45 | 11.43 | -6.98 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| MO | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.29 | 2.15 | -0.86 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.78 | 0.76 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.34 | 0.97 | -0.63 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.69 | 0.40 | +0.29 |
Drawdowns
MO vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum MO drawdown since its inception was -65.43%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MO and QQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| MO | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.43% | -82.97% | +17.54% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.40% | -11.96% | -4.44% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.40% | -22.77% | +6.37% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.83% | -35.12% | +9.29% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -53.69% | -35.12% | -18.57% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.37% | -4.03% | -0.34% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.93% | -32.77% | +20.84% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.49% | 3.14% | +3.35% |
Volatility
MO vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
Altria Group, Inc. (MO) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 6.69% 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.
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Volatility by Period
| MO | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.69% | 6.84% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.32% | 13.20% | +4.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 22.53% | 16.74% | +5.79% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.64% | 22.49% | -1.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.96% | 22.36% | +0.60% |
Dividends
MO vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
MO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.89%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MO Altria Group, Inc. | 5.89% | 7.21% | 7.65% | 9.52% | 8.05% | 7.43% | 8.29% | 6.57% | 6.07% | 3.56% | 3.48% | 3.73% |
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
MO and QQQ have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to MO (6.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MO dropped -65.43% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.29), 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.
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