NQ=F vs. CL=F

Last updated Apr 3, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures (NQ=F) and Crude Oil WTI (CL=F).

Performance

NQ=F vs. CL=F - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures (NQ=F) and Crude Oil WTI (CL=F). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

NQ=F vs. CL=F - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NQ=F E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures	-4.86%	19.93%	24.69%	54.45%	-32.46%	26.66%	47.22%	38.20%	-1.18%	31.76%
CL=F Crude Oil WTI	95.16%	-19.41%	-0.82%	-10.70%	7.44%	53.98%	-19.98%	32.92%	-24.35%	12.51%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NQ=F achieves a -4.86% return, which is significantly lower than CL=F's 95.16% return. Over the past 10 years, NQ=F has outperformed CL=F with an annualized return of 18.33%, while CL=F has yielded a comparatively lower 12.12% annualized return.

NQ=F

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -2.17%
• YTD: -4.86%
• 6M: -3.55%
• 1Y: 22.58%
• 3Y*: 22.21%
• 5Y*: 12.71%
• 10Y*: 18.33%

CL=F

• 1D: 11.93%
• 1M: 50.30%
• YTD: 95.16%
• 6M: 85.28%
• 1Y: 56.27%
• 3Y*: 11.68%
• 5Y*: 12.76%
• 10Y*: 12.12%

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

Return for Risk

NQ=F vs. CL=F — Risk / Return Rank

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

NQ=F

NQ=F Risk / Return Rank: 61
NQ=F Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
NQ=F Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
NQ=F Omega Ratio Rank: 57
NQ=F Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
NQ=F Martin Ratio Rank: 75

CL=F

CL=F Risk / Return Rank: 65
CL=F Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
CL=F Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
CL=F Omega Ratio Rank: 61
CL=F Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
CL=F Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

NQ=F vs. CL=F - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures (NQ=F) and Crude Oil WTI (CL=F). 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.

	NQ=F	CL=F	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.98	1.15	-0.17
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.55	1.74	-0.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.24	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.35	2.91	-0.56
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.67	4.83	+3.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NQ=F vs. CL=F - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NQ=F Sharpe Ratio is 0.98, which is comparable to the CL=F Sharpe Ratio of 1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NQ=F and CL=F, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	NQ=F	CL=F	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98	1.15	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.33	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.82	0.24	+0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.08	+0.83

Correlation

The correlation between NQ=F and CL=F is 0.17, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Drawdowns

NQ=F vs. CL=F - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NQ=F drawdown since its inception was -35.28%, smaller than the maximum CL=F drawdown of -92.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NQ=F and CL=F.

Drawdown Indicators

	NQ=F	CL=F	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.28%	-92.04%	+56.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.89%	-27.07%	+15.18%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.28%	-53.86%	+18.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.28%	-84.82%	+49.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.78%	-22.87%	+15.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.15%	-40.84%	+35.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.22%	16.32%	-13.10%

Volatility

NQ=F vs. CL=F - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for E-Mini Nasdaq 100 Futures (NQ=F) is 6.01%, while Crude Oil WTI (CL=F) has a volatility of 28.87%. This indicates that NQ=F experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CL=F based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NQ=F	CL=F	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.01%	28.87%	-22.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.59%	34.98%	-22.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.18%	42.54%	-20.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.47%	36.87%	-14.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.24%	48.84%	-26.60%