QMOM vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QMOM (Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMOM is a Momentum fund actively managed by Alpha Architect, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. QMOM is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QMOM returned 13.86%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. A 0.67 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QMOM charges 0.28%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QMOM vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM) 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, QMOM achieves a 25.11% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, QMOM has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.86%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

QMOM

• 1D: 1.78%
• 1M: 6.76%
• YTD: 25.11%
• 6M: 27.55%
• 1Y: 32.33%
• 3Y*: 23.37%
• 5Y*: 11.72%
• 10Y*: 13.86%

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)

QMOM vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QMOM Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF	25.11%	2.36%	30.43%	9.50%	-6.99%	-4.06%	61.94%	28.39%	-11.75%	15.92%
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 QMOM and QQQ is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.67

The correlation between QMOM and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.67 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

QMOM vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QMOM	QQQ
Industrials	37.5%	2.8%
Technology	23.9%	53.8%
Basic Materials	9.0%	1.1%
Healthcare	8.9%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	7.4%	12.3%
Energy	5.5%	0.6%
Communication Services	4.2%	15.8%
Utilities	2.0%	1.4%
Financial Services	1.9%	0.2%
Consumer Defensive	1.6%	7.7%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

QMOM vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMOM

QMOM Risk / Return Rank: 44
QMOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
QMOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
QMOM Omega Ratio Rank: 38
QMOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
QMOM Martin Ratio Rank: 56

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.

QMOM vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM) 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.

	QMOM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.73	-1.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	3.55	-1.60
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.47	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.71	-1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.61	14.30	-4.68
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMOM vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMOM Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMOM 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

	QMOM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.73	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.83	-0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.99	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.41	+0.11

Drawdowns

QMOM vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMOM drawdown since its inception was -39.13%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMOM and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMOM	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-39.13%	-82.97%	+43.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.65%	-11.96%	-0.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.46%	-22.77%	-3.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.82%	-35.12%	+8.30%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-39.13%	-35.12%	-4.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.92%	-32.79%	+19.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.45%	3.11%	+0.34%

Volatility

QMOM vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF (QMOM) has a higher volatility of 8.29% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.48%. This indicates that QMOM'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

	QMOM	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.29%	4.48%	+3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.87%	12.11%	+7.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.30%	15.95%	+7.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.20%	22.39%	+1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.49%	22.30%	+4.19%

QMOM vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMOM has a 0.28% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMOM vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QMOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QMOM Alpha Architect U.S. Quantitative Momentum ETF	0.43%	0.54%	1.40%	0.87%	1.59%	0.12%	0.08%	0.01%	0.05%	0.13%	0.34%	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 QMOM and QQQ in my portfolio?

QMOM and QQQ have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QMOM or QQQ?

QMOM has higher volatility (8.29%) compared to QQQ (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QMOM dropped -39.13% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, QMOM or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.97% vs 13.86% for QMOM. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QMOM or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.97% return vs 13.86%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMOM or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for QMOM.

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

QMOM has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QMOM and QQQ?

QMOM is categorized as Momentum, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Alpha Architect and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.28% for QMOM and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.39), 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.