PDRDX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PDRDX (Principal Diversified Real Asset Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - PDRDX is a Global Allocation fund managed by Principal, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, PDRDX returned 6.42%/yr vs 21.84%/yr for QQQ. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PDRDX charges 0.83%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Diversified Real Asset Fund (PDRDX) 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, PDRDX achieves a 12.67% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.71% return. Over the past 10 years, PDRDX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 6.42%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.84% annualized return.

PDRDX

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -1.43%
• YTD: 12.67%
• 6M: 13.15%
• 1Y: 21.92%
• 3Y*: 11.37%
• 5Y*: 6.12%
• 10Y*: 6.42%

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)

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PDRDX Principal Diversified Real Asset Fund	12.67%	14.63%	3.09%	3.22%	-6.19%	17.30%	3.97%	15.02%	-7.90%	10.18%
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 PDRDX and QQQ is 0.29, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 18, 2010	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between PDRDX and QQQ has dropped to 0.29 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PDRDX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDRDX

PDRDX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PDRDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
PDRDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
PDRDX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
PDRDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
PDRDX Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Diversified Real Asset Fund (PDRDX) 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.

	PDRDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.40	2.57	-0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.28	3.37	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.44	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	3.42	+0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.10	13.14	+2.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PDRDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.40, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PDRDX 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

	PDRDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.40	2.57	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	0.80	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.98	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.41	+0.10

Drawdowns

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDRDX drawdown since its inception was -28.55%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDRDX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDRDX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.55%	-82.97%	+54.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.88%	-11.96%	+6.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-10.94%	-22.77%	+11.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.35%	-35.12%	+15.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.55%	-35.12%	+6.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.86%	-0.74%	-1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-32.78%	+26.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.36%	3.11%	-1.75%

Volatility

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Diversified Real Asset Fund (PDRDX) is 2.93%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.51%. This indicates that PDRDX 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

	PDRDX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.93%	4.51%	-1.58%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.67%	12.10%	-4.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.15%	15.94%	-6.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.00%	22.37%	-11.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.80%	22.29%	-11.49%

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDRDX has a 0.83% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDRDX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PDRDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.81%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDRDX Principal Diversified Real Asset Fund	3.81%	4.19%	2.43%	2.52%	12.88%	6.56%	0.52%	2.36%	3.47%	2.21%	2.61%	0.99%
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 PDRDX and QQQ in my portfolio?

PDRDX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PDRDX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to PDRDX (2.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PDRDX dropped -28.55% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 2.40), 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.