PIO vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PIO (Invesco Global Water ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PIO is a Water Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ OMX Global Water Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PIO returned 8.55%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PIO charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PIO vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) 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, PIO achieves a 0.14% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, PIO has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 8.55%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

PIO

• 1D: 0.36%
• 1M: -2.45%
• YTD: 0.14%
• 6M: -1.81%
• 1Y: 2.91%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 3.23%
• 10Y*: 8.55%

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)

PIO vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PIO Invesco Global Water ETF	0.14%	14.25%	-0.44%	22.19%	-24.06%	25.97%	14.22%	35.59%	-9.71%	26.52%
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 PIO and QQQ is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 14, 2007	0.68

The correlation between PIO and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.56 (1 year) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

PIO vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PIO	QQQ
Industrials	56.4%	2.8%
Basic Materials	8.6%	1.1%
Technology	8.0%	53.8%
Utilities	7.7%	1.4%
Consumer Cyclical	6.3%	12.3%
Healthcare	4.6%	4.2%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

PIO vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PIO

PIO Risk / Return Rank: 11
PIO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
PIO Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
PIO Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PIO Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
PIO Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

PIO vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) 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.

	PIO	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.20	2.64	-2.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.39	3.45	-3.06
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.45	-0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.22	3.51	-3.29
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.63	13.49	-12.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PIO vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PIO Sharpe Ratio is 0.20, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PIO 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

	PIO	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20	2.64	-2.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.18	0.81	-0.62
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.99	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.41	-0.21

Drawdowns

PIO vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PIO drawdown since its inception was -64.88%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PIO and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PIO	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.88%	-82.97%	+18.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.14%	-11.96%	-1.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.08%	-22.77%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.27%	-35.12%	+0.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.76%	-35.12%	-0.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.07%	-0.26%	-8.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.43%	-32.79%	+17.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.60%	3.11%	+1.49%

Volatility

PIO vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Invesco Global Water ETF (PIO) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 4.44% and 4.49%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PIO	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	4.49%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.12%	12.10%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.58%	15.94%	-1.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.63%	22.38%	-4.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.22%	22.29%	-4.07%

PIO vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PIO has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PIO vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PIO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PIO Invesco Global Water ETF	1.02%	1.04%	0.78%	0.84%	1.02%	1.19%	0.88%	1.20%	2.00%	1.00%	1.45%	1.63%
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 PIO and QQQ in my portfolio?

PIO and QQQ have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PIO or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to PIO (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PIO dropped -64.88% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, PIO or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 8.55% for PIO. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PIO or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 8.55%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PIO or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for PIO.

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

PIO has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between PIO and QQQ?

PIO is categorized as Water Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. PIO tracks NASDAQ OMX Global Water Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for PIO and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.20), 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.