PBUS vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PBUS (Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PBUS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the MSCI USA Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PBUS returned 13.48%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PBUS charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PBUS vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF (PBUS) 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, PBUS achieves a 10.82% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

PBUS

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 5.14%
• YTD: 10.82%
• 6M: 10.68%
• 1Y: 27.65%
• 3Y*: 22.61%
• 5Y*: 13.48%
• 10Y*: —

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)

PBUS vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PBUS Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF	10.82%	17.58%	24.99%	27.33%	-19.64%	26.77%	21.75%	31.60%	-4.77%	7.13%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	8.15%

Correlation

The correlation between PBUS and QQQ is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 25, 2017	0.82

The correlation between PBUS and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.82 (all time) to 0.94 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PBUS vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PBUS	QQQ
Technology	35.4%	53.8%
Financial Services	11.6%	0.2%
Communication Services	11.3%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.3%
Healthcare	8.6%	4.2%
Industrials	8.6%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	7.7%
Energy	3.6%	0.6%
Utilities	2.3%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

PBUS vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PBUS

PBUS Risk / Return Rank: 68
PBUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
PBUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
PBUS Omega Ratio Rank: 69
PBUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
PBUS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
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.

PBUS vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF (PBUS) 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.

	PBUS	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	2.64	-0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.15	3.45	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.45	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.08	3.51	-0.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.93	13.49	+0.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PBUS vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PBUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PBUS 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

	PBUS	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	2.64	-0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.81	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.41	+0.39

Drawdowns

PBUS vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PBUS drawdown since its inception was -33.15%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PBUS and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PBUS	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.15%	-82.97%	+49.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.02%	-11.96%	+2.94%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.07%	-22.77%	+3.70%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.40%	-35.12%	+9.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-0.26%	-0.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.13%	-32.79%	+27.66%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	3.11%	-1.12%

Volatility

PBUS vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF (PBUS) is 2.94%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that PBUS 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

	PBUS	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.94%	4.49%	-1.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.13%	12.10%	-2.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.06%	15.94%	-3.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.05%	22.38%	-5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.33%	22.29%	-2.96%

PBUS vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PBUS has a 0.04% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

PBUS vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PBUS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.98%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PBUS Invesco PureBeta MSCI USA ETF	0.98%	1.05%	1.20%	1.36%	1.71%	0.98%	1.35%	1.53%	2.33%	0.50%	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 PBUS and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, PBUS and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, PBUS or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to PBUS (2.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PBUS dropped -33.15% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, PBUS or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 17.97% vs 13.48% for PBUS. On fees, PBUS is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, PBUS has been the lower-risk option at 2.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PBUS or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 17.97% return vs 13.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PBUS or QQQ?

PBUS is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PBUS or QQQ?

PBUS has the higher dividend yield at 0.98%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between PBUS and QQQ?

PBUS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. PBUS tracks MSCI USA Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.04% for PBUS and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.30), 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.