QQQ vs. GOLY
QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and GOLY (Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while GOLY is a Nontraditional Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Gold-Backed Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQ returned 17.59%/yr vs 5.95%/yr for GOLY. At a 0.15 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.79%/yr for GOLY.
Performance
QQQ vs. GOLY - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 21.26% return, which is significantly higher than GOLY's -20.76% return.
QQQ
- 1D
- 3.14%
- 1M
- 4.95%
- YTD
- 21.26%
- 6M
- 22.17%
- 1Y
- 41.87%
- 3Y*
- 27.20%
- 5Y*
- 17.59%
- 10Y*
- 22.31%
GOLY
- 1D
- 2.90%
- 1M
- -4.38%
- YTD
- -20.76%
- 6M
- -20.23%
- 1Y
- -1.82%
- 3Y*
- 16.55%
- 5Y*
- 5.95%
- 10Y*
- —
QQQ vs. GOLY - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 21.26% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 23.07% |
GOLY Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF | -20.76% | 57.98% | 19.82% | 12.74% | -19.96% | -1.40% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQ and GOLY is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.15 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 18, 2021 | 0.15 |
Over the past year, QQQ and GOLY have become more correlated (0.37) than their long-term average of 0.15, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. GOLY — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
GOLY
QQQ vs. GOLY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF (GOLY). 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| QQQ | GOLY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +2.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.97 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.42 | 1.02 | +0.40 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.52 | -0.05 | +3.57 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 13.12 | -0.13 | +13.25 |
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Drawdowns
QQQ vs. GOLY - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than GOLY's maximum drawdown of -36.08%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and GOLY.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | GOLY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -36.08% | -46.89% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.96% | -36.08% | +24.12% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.77% | -36.08% | +13.31% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | -36.08% | +0.96% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.29% | -31.62% | +31.33% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.75% | -11.98% | -20.77% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.20% | 14.24% | -11.04% |
Volatility
QQQ vs. GOLY - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 8.14%, while Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF (GOLY) has a volatility of 9.83%. This indicates that QQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than GOLY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QQQ | GOLY | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.14% | 9.83% | -1.69% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.12% | 30.46% | -16.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.43% | 33.73% | -16.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.59% | 22.57% | +0.02% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.41% | 22.41% | 0.00% |
QQQ vs. GOLY - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than GOLY's 0.79% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQ vs. GOLY - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%, less than GOLY's 9.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GOLY Strategy Shares Gold-Hedged Bond ETF | 9.29% | 7.22% | 3.85% | 2.94% | 2.57% | 1.11% | 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
QQQ and GOLY have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
GOLY has higher volatility (9.83%) compared to QQQ (8.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs GOLY's -36.08%.
On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 17.59% vs 5.95% for GOLY. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 8.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 17.59% return vs 5.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for GOLY.
GOLY has the higher dividend yield at 9.29%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.
QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while GOLY is Nontraditional Bonds. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while GOLY tracks Solactive Gold-Backed Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Strategy Shares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.79% for GOLY.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs -0.05), 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.
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