MSTR vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

MSTR (Strategy Inc) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, MSTR returned 20.92%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

MSTR vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Strategy Inc (MSTR) 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, MSTR achieves a -18.41% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.57% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MSTR having a 20.92% annualized return and QQQ not far ahead at 21.79%.

MSTR

• 1D: 3.18%
• 1M: -33.70%
• YTD: -18.41%
• 6M: -29.74%
• 1Y: -67.62%
• 3Y*: 63.46%
• 5Y*: 19.14%
• 10Y*: 20.92%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 0.22%
• YTD: 17.57%
• 6M: 17.85%
• 1Y: 37.55%
• 3Y*: 26.43%
• 5Y*: 16.85%
• 10Y*: 21.79%

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

MSTR vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSTR Strategy Inc	-18.41%	-47.53%	358.54%	346.15%	-74.00%	40.13%	172.42%	11.65%	-2.70%	-33.49%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	17.57%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between MSTR and QQQ is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.48

The correlation between MSTR and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.44 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSTR vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSTR

MSTR Risk / Return Rank: 8
MSTR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
MSTR Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
MSTR Omega Ratio Rank: 7
MSTR Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
MSTR Martin Ratio Rank: 13

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 71
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

MSTR vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Strategy Inc (MSTR) 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.

	MSTR	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.95	2.09	-3.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.71	2.73	-4.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.82	1.37	-0.55
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	3.01	-3.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.27	11.22	-12.49

MSTR vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSTR Sharpe Ratio is -0.95, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSTR 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

MSTR vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSTR drawdown since its inception was -99.86%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSTR and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSTR	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.86%	-82.97%	-16.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-76.53%	-11.96%	-64.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-77.42%	-22.77%	-54.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-84.11%	-35.12%	-48.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.27%	-35.12%	-54.15%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-73.84%	-3.33%	-70.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-86.45%	-32.75%	-53.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	53.01%	3.20%	+49.81%

Volatility

MSTR vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Strategy Inc (MSTR) has a higher volatility of 21.60% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 7.56%. This indicates that MSTR'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

	MSTR	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.60%	7.56%	+14.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.34%	13.81%	+43.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	71.15%	17.19%	+53.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	90.79%	22.55%	+68.24%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	73.80%	22.38%	+51.42%

Dividends

MSTR vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

MSTR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MSTR Strategy Inc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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 MSTR and QQQ in my portfolio?

MSTR and QQQ have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSTR or QQQ?

MSTR has higher volatility (21.60%) compared to QQQ (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSTR dropped -99.86% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs -0.95), 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.