PFM vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PFM (Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PFM is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PFM returned 11.82%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PFM charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PFM vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM) 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, PFM achieves a 8.18% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, PFM has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.82%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

PFM

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 3.40%
• YTD: 8.18%
• 6M: 7.73%
• 1Y: 19.65%
• 3Y*: 16.31%
• 5Y*: 10.63%
• 10Y*: 11.82%

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)

PFM vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PFM Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF	8.18%	14.00%	16.87%	11.40%	-6.22%	23.08%	9.53%	26.88%	-4.58%	17.65%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between PFM and QQQ is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 16, 2005	0.74

The correlation between PFM and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.62 (1 year) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PFM vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PFM	QQQ
Technology	24.7%	53.8%
Financial Services	18.5%	0.2%
Healthcare	14.9%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	12.0%	7.7%
Industrials	11.1%	2.8%
Energy	4.7%	0.6%
Utilities	4.2%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	4.0%	12.3%
Basic Materials	3.0%	1.1%
Real Estate	2.0%	0.1%
Communication Services	1.1%	15.8%

Return for Risk

PFM vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PFM

PFM Risk / Return Rank: 62
PFM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
PFM Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
PFM Omega Ratio Rank: 61
PFM Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PFM Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

PFM vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM) 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.

	PFM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.09	2.64	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.07	3.45	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.45	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	3.51	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.28	13.49	-2.21
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PFM vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PFM Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PFM 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

	PFM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.09	2.64	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.81	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.78	0.99	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.41	+0.11

Drawdowns

PFM vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PFM drawdown since its inception was -53.21%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFM and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PFM	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.21%	-82.97%	+29.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.09%	-11.96%	+4.87%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.50%	-22.77%	+8.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-17.81%	-35.12%	+17.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.22%	-35.12%	+2.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.23%	-0.26%	+0.03%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.94%	-32.79%	+25.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.75%	3.11%	-1.36%

Volatility

PFM vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF (PFM) is 2.04%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that PFM 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

	PFM	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.04%	4.49%	-2.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.13%	12.10%	-4.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.47%	15.94%	-6.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.54%	22.38%	-8.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.21%	22.29%	-7.08%

PFM vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PFM has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PFM vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PFM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PFM Invesco Dividend Achievers™ ETF	1.33%	1.41%	1.58%	1.86%	1.95%	1.69%	1.92%	1.94%	2.27%	1.70%	2.56%	2.36%
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 PFM and QQQ in my portfolio?

PFM and QQQ have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PFM or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to PFM (2.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFM dropped -53.21% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, PFM or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 11.82% for PFM. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, PFM has been the lower-risk option at 2.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PFM or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 11.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PFM or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.53% for PFM.

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

PFM has the higher dividend yield at 1.33%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between PFM and QQQ?

PFM is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. PFM tracks NASDAQ US Broad Dividend Achievers Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.53% for PFM and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.09), 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.