PUBM vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PUBM (PubMatic, Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, PUBM returned -16.09%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PUBM vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in PubMatic, Inc. (PUBM) 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, PUBM achieves a 28.30% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 21.30% return.

PUBM

• 1D: -5.48%
• 1M: 11.02%
• YTD: 28.30%
• 6M: 26.30%
• 1Y: -5.72%
• 3Y*: -14.44%
• 5Y*: -16.09%
• 10Y*: —

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)

PUBM vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
PUBM PubMatic, Inc.	28.30%	-39.62%	-9.93%	27.32%	-62.38%	21.78%	-5.06%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	4.31%

Correlation

The correlation between PUBM and QQQ is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 2020	0.50

The correlation between PUBM and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.53 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PUBM vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PUBM

PUBM Risk / Return Rank: 38
PUBM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 37
PUBM Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
PUBM Omega Ratio Rank: 40
PUBM Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
PUBM Martin Ratio Rank: 37

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.

PUBM vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PubMatic, Inc. (PUBM) 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.

	PUBM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.08	2.64	-2.72
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.41	3.45	-3.04
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.45	-0.40
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.11	3.51	-3.62
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.17	13.49	-13.66
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PUBM vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PUBM Sharpe Ratio is -0.08, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PUBM 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

	PUBM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.08	2.64	-2.72
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	0.81	-1.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.22	0.41	-0.63

Drawdowns

PUBM vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PUBM drawdown since its inception was -91.02%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PUBM and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PUBM	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.02%	-82.97%	-8.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-54.06%	-11.96%	-42.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-73.86%	-22.77%	-51.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-85.21%	-35.12%	-50.09%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-83.72%	-0.26%	-83.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-70.68%	-32.79%	-37.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	34.30%	3.11%	+31.19%

Volatility

PUBM vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

PubMatic, Inc. (PUBM) has a higher volatility of 15.54% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that PUBM'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

	PUBM	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.54%	4.49%	+11.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.34%	12.10%	+21.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.71%	15.94%	+53.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	66.41%	22.38%	+44.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	72.56%	22.29%	+50.27%

Dividends

PUBM vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PUBM has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PUBM PubMatic, 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	0.38%	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 PUBM and QQQ in my portfolio?

PUBM and QQQ have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PUBM or QQQ?

PUBM has higher volatility (15.54%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PUBM dropped -91.02% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs -0.08), 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.