PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
MSB vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

MSB vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MSB (Mesabi Trust) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, MSB returned 21.03%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MSB vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Mesabi Trust (MSB) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSB achieves a -32.63% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MSB having a 21.03% annualized return and QQQ not far ahead at 21.94%.

MSB

1D
-1.35%
1M
-7.54%
YTD
-32.63%
6M
-20.12%
1Y
-1.80%
3Y*
22.80%
5Y*
2.06%
10Y*
21.03%

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)

MSB vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
MSB
Mesabi Trust		-32.63%71.88%47.05%15.55%-22.81%3.66%30.10%12.34%4.11%155.25%
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 MSB and QQQ is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.25

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.21

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.21

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.24

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999

0.23

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Mesabi Trust

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with MSB:
MSB vs. CLOZMSB vs. IAGMSB vs. PEPMSB vs. LINMSB vs. RIOMSB vs. ABRMSB vs. MAIN
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

MSB vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
MSB
MSB Risk / Return Rank: 3737
Overall Rank
MSB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3939
Sharpe Ratio Rank
MSB Sortino Ratio Rank: 3737
Sortino Ratio Rank
MSB Omega Ratio Rank: 3636
Omega Ratio Rank
MSB Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
MSB Martin Ratio Rank: 3737
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7373
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7979
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7575
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7474
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

MSB vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Mesabi Trust (MSB) 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.

MSBQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.04
2.64

-2.68

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.29
3.45

-3.16

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.03

1.45

-0.42

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.05

3.51

-3.56

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-0.11

13.49

-13.60

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSB vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSB Sharpe Ratio is -0.04, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSB 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.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

MSBQQQDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.04

2.64

-2.68

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.04

0.81

-0.77

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.43

0.99

-0.55

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.32

0.41

-0.09

Drawdowns

MSB vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSB drawdown since its inception was -92.01%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSB and QQQ.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

MSBQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-92.01%

-82.97%

-9.04%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-37.08%

-11.96%

-25.12%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-37.08%

-22.77%

-14.31%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-47.08%

-35.12%

-11.96%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-66.48%

-35.12%

-31.36%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-36.93%

-0.26%

-36.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-26.73%

-32.79%

+6.06%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

16.18%

3.11%

+13.07%

Volatility

MSB vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Mesabi Trust (MSB) has a higher volatility of 13.46% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that MSB'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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

MSBQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

13.46%

4.49%

+8.97%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

33.99%

12.10%

+21.89%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

47.35%

15.94%

+31.41%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

49.19%

22.38%

+26.81%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

48.69%

22.29%

+26.40%

Dividends

MSB vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

MSB's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.76%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
MSB
Mesabi Trust		3.76%18.09%4.80%1.71%20.14%10.83%5.95%14.27%11.78%5.92%5.14%15.04%
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

MSB and QQQ have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

MSB has higher volatility (13.46%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSB dropped -92.01% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs -0.04), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for MSB and QQQ

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer