PAYC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PAYC (Paycom Software, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, PAYC returned 13.17%/yr vs 21.84%/yr for QQQ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

PAYC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) 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, PAYC achieves a -13.51% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.71% return. Over the past 10 years, PAYC has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.17%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.84% annualized return.

PAYC

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: 4.38%
• YTD: -13.51%
• 6M: -17.04%
• 1Y: -47.75%
• 3Y*: -22.86%
• 5Y*: -15.28%
• 10Y*: 13.17%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 19.19%
• 1Y: 40.74%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

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

PAYC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.	-13.51%	-21.70%	-0.04%	-33.06%	-25.26%	-8.19%	70.82%	116.22%	52.43%	76.59%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between PAYC and QQQ is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2014	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between PAYC and QQQ has dropped to 0.12 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PAYC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAYC

PAYC Risk / Return Rank: 6
PAYC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
PAYC Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
PAYC Omega Ratio Rank: 4
PAYC Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
PAYC Martin Ratio Rank: 13

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PAYC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) 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.

	PAYC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.27	2.57	-3.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.98	3.37	-5.36
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.77	1.44	-0.67
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.84	3.42	-4.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.27	13.14	-14.42
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PAYC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAYC Sharpe Ratio is -1.27, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAYC 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PAYC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.27	2.57	-3.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.34	0.80	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.30	0.98	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.41	+0.03

Drawdowns

PAYC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAYC drawdown since its inception was -78.99%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAYC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAYC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.99%	-82.97%	+3.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-56.97%	-11.96%	-45.01%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-68.70%	-22.77%	-45.93%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.99%	-35.12%	-43.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.99%	-35.12%	-43.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-74.58%	-0.74%	-73.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.89%	-32.78%	+5.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	37.56%	3.11%	+34.45%

Volatility

PAYC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Paycom Software, Inc. (PAYC) has a higher volatility of 15.60% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.51%. This indicates that PAYC'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

	PAYC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.60%	4.51%	+11.09%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.94%	12.10%	+17.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.73%	15.94%	+21.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.49%	22.37%	+22.12%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.49%	22.29%	+22.20%

Dividends

PAYC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PAYC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.09%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PAYC Paycom Software, Inc.	1.09%	0.94%	0.73%	0.54%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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

Can I hold both PAYC and QQQ in my portfolio?

PAYC and QQQ have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAYC or QQQ?

PAYC has higher volatility (15.60%) compared to QQQ (4.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAYC dropped -78.99% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -1.27), 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.