QQQ vs. ^XNDX

Last updated Apr 4, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX).

QQQ is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Mar 10, 1999.

Performance

QQQ vs. ^XNDX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with QQQ having a -4.65% return and ^XNDX slightly higher at -4.59%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with QQQ having a 19.05% annualized return and ^XNDX not far ahead at 19.31%.

QQQ

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -3.81%
• YTD: -4.65%
• 6M: -2.77%
• 1Y: 39.07%
• 3Y*: 22.97%
• 5Y*: 13.18%
• 10Y*: 19.05%

^XNDX

• 1D: 0.12%
• 1M: -3.82%
• YTD: -4.59%
• 6M: -2.66%
• 1Y: 39.16%
• 3Y*: 23.24%
• 5Y*: 13.41%
• 10Y*: 19.31%

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

QQQ vs. ^XNDX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	-4.65%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%
^XNDX NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index	-4.59%	21.02%	25.88%	55.13%	-32.38%	27.51%	48.88%	39.46%	0.04%	32.99%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and ^XNDX 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. Consider pairing with a less correlated asset class instead.

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. ^XNDX — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 59
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 57

^XNDX

^XNDX Risk / Return Rank: 75
^XNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
^XNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
^XNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 75
^XNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
^XNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

QQQ vs. ^XNDX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX). 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.

	QQQ	^XNDX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.04	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	1.63	-0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.23	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	1.93	0.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	7.15	-0.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQ vs. ^XNDX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is comparable to the ^XNDX Sharpe Ratio of 1.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and ^XNDX, 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

	QQQ	^XNDX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	1.04	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	0.60	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.86	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.70	-0.32

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. ^XNDX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than ^XNDX's maximum drawdown of -53.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and ^XNDX.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	^XNDX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-53.42%	-29.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-11.85%	-0.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-35.04%	-0.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-35.04%	-0.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.75%	-7.64%	-0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.98%	-7.73%	-25.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	3.44%	+0.04%

Volatility

QQQ vs. ^XNDX - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and NASDAQ 100 Total Return Index (^XNDX) have volatilities of 6.38% and 6.43%, 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

	QQQ	^XNDX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	6.43%	-0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.82%	12.92%	-0.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.69%	22.76%	-0.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.37%	22.60%	-0.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.24%	22.47%	-0.23%