QQH vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQH (HCM Defender 100 Index ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQH is a Technology Equities fund tracking the HCM Defender 100 Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQH returned 15.09%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQH charges 1.14%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QQH vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in HCM Defender 100 Index ETF (QQH) 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, QQH achieves a 14.78% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

QQH

• 1D: -0.56%
• 1M: 14.19%
• YTD: 14.78%
• 6M: 12.39%
• 1Y: 40.27%
• 3Y*: 26.06%
• 5Y*: 15.09%
• 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)

QQH vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
QQH HCM Defender 100 Index ETF	14.78%	15.66%	33.64%	48.05%	-39.60%	37.52%	41.71%	15.13%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	12.93%

Correlation

The correlation between QQH and QQQ is 0.98 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.98
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 11, 2019	0.94

The correlation between QQH and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQH vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQH	QQQ
Technology	56.6%	53.8%
Communication Services	14.9%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	13.6%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	7.7%
Healthcare	3.5%	4.2%
Industrials	2.2%	2.8%
Utilities	1.2%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.1%
Energy	0.5%	0.6%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.0%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QQH vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQH

QQH Risk / Return Rank: 51
QQH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QQH Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
QQH Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QQH Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
QQH Martin Ratio Rank: 42

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.

QQH vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for HCM Defender 100 Index ETF (QQH) 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.

	QQH	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.97	2.64	-0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.53	3.45	-0.92
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.45	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.50	3.51	-1.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.81	13.49	-6.69
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQH vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQH Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQH 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

	QQH	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.97	2.64	-0.67
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	0.81	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.85	0.41	+0.44

Drawdowns

QQH vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQH drawdown since its inception was -41.87%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQH and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQH	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.87%	-82.97%	+41.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.18%	-11.96%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.84%	-22.77%	-2.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.87%	-35.12%	-6.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.56%	-0.26%	-0.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.94%	-32.79%	+19.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.93%	3.11%	+2.82%

Volatility

QQH vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

HCM Defender 100 Index ETF (QQH) has a higher volatility of 6.03% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that QQH'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

	QQH	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.03%	4.49%	+1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.47%	12.10%	+2.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.57%	15.94%	+4.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.51%	22.38%	-0.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.73%	22.29%	+2.44%

QQH vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQH has a 1.14% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQH vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QQH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.18%, less than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQH HCM Defender 100 Index ETF	0.18%	0.21%	0.24%	0.27%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.21%	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 QQH and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.98, QQH and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QQH or QQQ?

QQH has higher volatility (6.03%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQH dropped -41.87% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, QQH or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 17.97% vs 15.09% for QQH. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQH or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 17.97% return vs 15.09%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQH or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.14% for QQH.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.18% for QQH.

What is the main difference between QQH and QQQ?

QQH is categorized as Technology Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. QQH tracks HCM Defender 100 Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Howard Capital Management and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.14% for QQH and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.97), 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.