OTCAX vs. QQQ

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

OTCAX (MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - OTCAX is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund managed by MFS, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, OTCAX returned 11.54%/yr vs 20.44%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.84 means they have usually moved in the same direction. OTCAX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX) 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, OTCAX achieves a 2.18% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 12.26% return. Over the past 10 years, OTCAX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.54%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 20.44% annualized return.

OTCAX

• 1D: 2.10%
• 1M: -3.22%
• 6M: 2.83%
• YTD: 2.18%
• 1Y: -1.26%
• 3Y*: 11.20%
• 5Y*: 3.22%
• 10Y*: 11.54%
• ALL TIME*: 8.63%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -3.45%
• 6M: 10.89%
• YTD: 12.26%
• 1Y: 24.81%
• 3Y*: 22.29%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: 20.44%
• ALL TIME*: 10.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
OTCAX MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund	$0.00	$0.00	$0.00
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	$30.32B	$28.40B	$31.45B

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
OTCAX MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund	2.18%	3.32%	23.47%	21.00%	-28.53%	13.66%	35.34%	37.43%	0.82%	25.95%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	12.26%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between OTCAX and QQQ is 0.79, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.84
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.84

The correlation between OTCAX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

OTCAX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

OTCAX

OTCAX Risk / Return Rank: 3
OTCAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
OTCAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
OTCAX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
OTCAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
OTCAX Martin Ratio Rank: 3

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 49
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 45
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX) 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.

	OTCAX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.17	1.16	-1.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.12	1.65	-1.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.21	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.19	1.88	-2.06
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.46	6.00	-6.46

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current OTCAX Sharpe Ratio is -0.17, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of OTCAX 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

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum OTCAX drawdown since its inception was -74.39%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for OTCAX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	OTCAX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.39%	-82.97%	+8.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.46%	-11.96%	-4.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.05%	-22.77%	+1.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.85%	-35.12%	-1.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.85%	-35.12%	-1.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.51%	-7.69%	+2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.03%	-32.62%	+9.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.60%	3.74%	+2.86%

Volatility

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund (OTCAX) is 4.82%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.87%. This indicates that OTCAX 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

	OTCAX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.82%	6.87%	-2.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.58%	16.08%	-1.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.73%	19.38%	-1.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.39%	22.90%	-2.51%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.02%	22.50%	-2.48%

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

OTCAX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

OTCAX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

OTCAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.40%, more than QQQ's 0.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OTCAX MFS Mid Cap Growth Fund	16.40%	16.76%	15.59%	0.00%	0.00%	3.64%	0.83%	0.86%	4.70%	8.80%	5.67%	2.84%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.44%	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 OTCAX and QQQ in my portfolio?

OTCAX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, OTCAX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.87%) compared to OTCAX (4.82%). In terms of maximum drawdown, OTCAX dropped -74.39% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs -0.17), 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.