QQQ vs. BRK-B

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while BRK-B (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.84%/yr vs 12.93%/yr for BRK-B. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QQQ vs. BRK-B - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 20.71% return, which is significantly higher than BRK-B's -4.78% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed BRK-B with an annualized return of 21.84%, while BRK-B has yielded a comparatively lower 12.93% annualized return.

QQQ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 19.19%
• 1Y: 40.74%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

BRK-B

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: 2.82%
• YTD: -4.78%
• 6M: -4.89%
• 1Y: -2.52%
• 3Y*: 13.36%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.93%

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

QQQ vs. BRK-B - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway Inc.	-4.78%	10.89%	27.09%	15.46%	3.31%	28.95%	2.37%	10.93%	3.01%	21.62%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and BRK-B is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999	0.38

The correlation between QQQ and BRK-B shifts across timeframes, from -0.03 (1 year) to 0.42 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. BRK-B — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

BRK-B

BRK-B Risk / Return Rank: 31
BRK-B Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
BRK-B Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
BRK-B Omega Ratio Rank: 27
BRK-B Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
BRK-B Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. BRK-B - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B). 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	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.57	-0.18	+2.75
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	-0.15	+3.52
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	0.98	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.42	-0.27	+3.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.14	-0.57	+13.71
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. BRK-B - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.57, which is higher than the BRK-B Sharpe Ratio of -0.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and BRK-B, 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	BRK-B	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.57	-0.18	+2.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.61	+0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.67	+0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.48	-0.07

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. BRK-B - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than BRK-B's maximum drawdown of -53.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and BRK-B.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	BRK-B	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-53.86%	-29.11%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-9.42%	-2.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-14.95%	-7.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-26.58%	-8.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-29.57%	-5.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.74%	-11.33%	+10.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.78%	-11.07%	-21.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.11%	4.46%	-1.35%

Volatility

QQQ vs. BRK-B - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 4.51% compared to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-B) at 3.72%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BRK-B based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	BRK-B	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.51%	3.72%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.10%	10.70%	+1.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.94%	14.32%	+1.62%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.37%	17.11%	+5.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.29%	19.43%	+2.86%

Dividends

QQQ vs. BRK-B - Dividend Comparison

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

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BRK-B Berkshire Hathaway 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 QQQ and BRK-B in my portfolio?

QQQ and BRK-B have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQ or BRK-B?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to BRK-B (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs BRK-B's -53.86%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs -0.18), 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.