PTSGX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PTSGX (Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - PTSGX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Touchstone, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, PTSGX returned 16.76%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PTSGX charges 1.16%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund (PTSGX) 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, PTSGX achieves a 7.73% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, PTSGX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 16.76%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

PTSGX

• 1D: 1.83%
• 1M: 8.26%
• YTD: 7.73%
• 6M: 7.00%
• 1Y: 14.48%
• 3Y*: 21.92%
• 5Y*: 3.63%
• 10Y*: 16.76%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

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

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PTSGX Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund	7.73%	15.27%	23.79%	51.60%	-50.56%	3.76%	68.92%	67.10%	5.80%	34.42%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between PTSGX and QQQ is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.89

The correlation between PTSGX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PTSGX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PTSGX

PTSGX Risk / Return Rank: 8
PTSGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
PTSGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
PTSGX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
PTSGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
PTSGX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund (PTSGX) 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.

	PTSGX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.78	2.73	-1.95
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	3.55	-2.40
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.47	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.67	3.71	-3.05
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.71	14.30	-12.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PTSGX Sharpe Ratio is 0.78, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PTSGX 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

	PTSGX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78	2.73	-1.95
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.83	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58	0.99	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.41	-0.03

Drawdowns

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PTSGX drawdown since its inception was -60.33%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PTSGX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PTSGX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.33%	-82.97%	+22.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.16%	-11.96%	-12.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.56%	-22.77%	-5.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-60.07%	-35.12%	-24.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.07%	-35.12%	-24.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.83%	0.00%	-1.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.83%	-32.79%	+16.96%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.39%	3.11%	+6.28%

Volatility

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund (PTSGX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 4.56% and 4.48%, 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

	PTSGX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.56%	4.48%	+0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.60%	12.11%	+3.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.42%	15.95%	+4.47%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	30.88%	22.39%	+8.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.97%	22.30%	+6.67%

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PTSGX has a 1.16% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PTSGX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PTSGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PTSGX Touchstone Sands Capital Select Growth Fund	0.61%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	12.67%	10.05%	39.46%	34.95%	24.32%	16.89%	9.33%
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 PTSGX and QQQ in my portfolio?

PTSGX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PTSGX or QQQ?

PTSGX has higher volatility (4.56%) compared to QQQ (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PTSGX dropped -60.33% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 0.78), 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.