QCOM vs. XLK

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QCOM (QUALCOMM Incorporated) is a stock, while XLK (State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF) is Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P Technology Select Sector Daily Capped 35/20 Index. Over the past 10 years, QCOM returned 19.54%/yr vs 25.84%/yr for XLK. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

QCOM vs. XLK - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCOM achieves a 47.10% return, which is significantly higher than XLK's 36.47% return. Over the past 10 years, QCOM has underperformed XLK with an annualized return of 19.54%, while XLK has yielded a comparatively higher 25.84% annualized return.

QCOM

• 1D: 3.81%
• 1M: 48.48%
• YTD: 47.10%
• 6M: 44.46%
• 1Y: 71.79%
• 3Y*: 31.99%
• 5Y*: 15.61%
• 10Y*: 19.54%

XLK

• 1D: -1.00%
• 1M: 21.09%
• YTD: 36.47%
• 6M: 35.71%
• 1Y: 66.93%
• 3Y*: 33.90%
• 5Y*: 23.83%
• 10Y*: 25.84%

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

QCOM vs. XLK - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated	47.10%	13.84%	8.31%	35.07%	-38.58%	22.25%	77.08%	60.76%	-7.59%	2.05%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	36.47%	24.61%	21.63%	56.02%	-27.73%	34.74%	43.62%	49.86%	-1.68%	34.26%

Correlation

The correlation between QCOM and XLK is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 1998	0.65

The correlation between QCOM and XLK shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (1 year) to 0.72 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QCOM vs. XLK — Risk / Return Rank

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

QCOM

QCOM Risk / Return Rank: 79
QCOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 82
QCOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
QCOM Omega Ratio Rank: 82
QCOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
QCOM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

XLK

XLK Risk / Return Rank: 83
XLK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
XLK Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
XLK Omega Ratio Rank: 83
XLK Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
XLK Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

QCOM vs. XLK - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) and State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK). 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.

	QCOM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.57	3.24	-1.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.92	-1.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.52	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.18	4.22	-2.05
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.92	14.16	-9.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCOM vs. XLK - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCOM Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is lower than the XLK Sharpe Ratio of 3.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCOM and XLK, 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

	QCOM	XLK	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.57	3.24	-1.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.96	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	1.06	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.43	0.42	+0.02

Drawdowns

QCOM vs. XLK - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCOM drawdown since its inception was -86.75%, which is greater than XLK's maximum drawdown of -82.05%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOM and XLK.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCOM	XLK	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.75%	-82.05%	-4.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.13%	-15.92%	-17.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.23%	-25.66%	-18.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.29%	-33.56%	-10.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.29%	-33.56%	-10.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.40%	-1.00%	+0.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.89%	-34.96%	+2.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.65%	4.74%	+9.91%

Volatility

QCOM vs. XLK - Volatility Comparison

QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) has a higher volatility of 28.47% compared to State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) at 6.98%. This indicates that QCOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLK based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCOM	XLK	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	28.47%	6.98%	+21.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.80%	16.68%	+22.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	45.89%	20.82%	+25.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.55%	24.90%	+15.65%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.95%	24.49%	+14.46%

Dividends

QCOM vs. XLK - Dividend Comparison

QCOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.42%, more than XLK's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated	1.42%	2.06%	2.18%	2.18%	2.67%	1.47%	1.69%	2.81%	4.27%	3.50%	3.17%	3.72%
XLK State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF	0.39%	0.54%	0.66%	0.76%	1.04%	0.65%	0.92%	1.16%	1.60%	1.37%	1.74%	1.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCOM and XLK in my portfolio?

QCOM and XLK have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCOM or XLK?

QCOM has higher volatility (28.47%) compared to XLK (6.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCOM dropped -86.75% vs XLK's -82.05%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

XLK currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.24 vs 1.57), 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.