PENG vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PENG (Penguin Solutions, Inc) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, PENG returned 22.82%/yr vs 15.94%/yr for QQQ. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

PENG vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Penguin Solutions, Inc (PENG) 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, PENG achieves a 230.88% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 15.95% return.

PENG

• 1D: -3.35%
• 1M: 21.63%
• YTD: 230.88%
• 6M: 220.24%
• 1Y: 218.03%
• 3Y*: 35.88%
• 5Y*: 22.82%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -0.86%
• YTD: 15.95%
• 6M: 14.16%
• 1Y: 32.28%
• 3Y*: 25.87%
• 5Y*: 15.94%
• 10Y*: 22.01%

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

PENG vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PENG Penguin Solutions, Inc	230.88%	1.93%	1.37%	27.22%	-58.08%	88.65%	-0.82%	27.74%	-11.87%	180.83%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	15.95%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	12.73%

Correlation

The correlation between PENG and QQQ is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.60
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 24, 2017	0.57

The correlation between PENG and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.57 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PENG vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PENG

PENG Risk / Return Rank: 93
PENG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PENG Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PENG Omega Ratio Rank: 94
PENG Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
PENG Martin Ratio Rank: 88

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

PENG vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Penguin Solutions, Inc (PENG) 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.

	PENG	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.39	1.81	+1.57
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.47	2.41	+1.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.32	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.92	2.71	+2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.44	10.01	-0.57

PENG vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PENG Sharpe Ratio is 3.39, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PENG 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

PENG vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PENG drawdown since its inception was -68.72%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PENG and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PENG	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.72%	-82.97%	+14.25%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-44.57%	-11.96%	-32.61%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.84%	-22.77%	-32.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-65.40%	-35.12%	-30.28%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.37%	-4.66%	-4.71%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.26%	-32.72%	-4.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	23.20%	3.23%	+19.97%

Volatility

PENG vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Penguin Solutions, Inc (PENG) has a higher volatility of 32.68% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 9.17%. This indicates that PENG'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

	PENG	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	32.68%	9.17%	+23.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	53.56%	14.54%	+39.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	64.90%	17.95%	+46.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.83%	22.69%	+37.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	62.78%	22.41%	+40.37%

Dividends

PENG vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PENG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PENG Penguin Solutions, Inc	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.43%	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 PENG and QQQ in my portfolio?

PENG and QQQ have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PENG or QQQ?

PENG has higher volatility (32.68%) compared to QQQ (9.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PENG dropped -68.72% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PENG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.39 vs 1.81), 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.