PRSCX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRSCX (T. Rowe Price Science And Technology Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - PRSCX is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by T. Rowe Price, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. PRSCX is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PRSCX returned 23.39%/yr vs 22.48%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRSCX charges 0.80%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Science And Technology Fund (PRSCX) 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, PRSCX achieves a 42.10% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 20.41% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PRSCX having a 23.39% annualized return and QQQ not far behind at 22.48%.

PRSCX

• 1D: 4.93%
• 1M: 9.62%
• YTD: 42.10%
• 6M: 40.90%
• 1Y: 79.76%
• 3Y*: 39.17%
• 5Y*: 18.25%
• 10Y*: 23.39%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 40.91%
• 3Y*: 27.47%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 22.48%

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

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRSCX T. Rowe Price Science And Technology Fund	42.10%	24.28%	40.49%	53.77%	-35.40%	5.83%	45.94%	53.80%	-7.52%	39.38%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between PRSCX and QQQ is 0.87, 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	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.92

The correlation between PRSCX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRSCX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRSCX

PRSCX Risk / Return Rank: 87
PRSCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
PRSCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PRSCX Omega Ratio Rank: 80
PRSCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PRSCX Martin Ratio Rank: 89

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 72
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.

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Science And Technology Fund (PRSCX) 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.

	PRSCX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.97	2.33	+0.64
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.46	3.03	+0.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	1.41	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.56	3.44	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.24	12.79	+3.45

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRSCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.97, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRSCX 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

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRSCX drawdown since its inception was -85.26%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRSCX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRSCX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-85.26%	-82.97%	-2.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.99%	-11.96%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-31.06%	-22.77%	-8.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-46.19%	-35.12%	-11.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.19%	-35.12%	-11.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.99%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-29.86%	-32.73%	+2.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.97%	3.21%	+1.76%

Volatility

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Science And Technology Fund (PRSCX) has a higher volatility of 15.51% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.47%. This indicates that PRSCX'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

	PRSCX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.51%	8.47%	+7.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.90%	14.20%	+9.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.63%	17.67%	+9.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.51%	22.64%	+5.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.18%	22.43%	+2.75%

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRSCX has a 0.80% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRSCX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PRSCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.11%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRSCX T. Rowe Price Science And Technology Fund	8.11%	11.53%	9.43%	0.00%	7.83%	33.69%	13.90%	10.91%	36.03%	13.21%	3.68%	18.51%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	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 PRSCX and QQQ in my portfolio?

PRSCX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRSCX or QQQ?

PRSCX has higher volatility (15.51%) compared to QQQ (8.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRSCX dropped -85.26% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRSCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.97 vs 2.33), 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.