QQQ vs. GWW

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while GWW (W.W. Grainger, Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 20.72%/yr vs 22.03%/yr for GWW. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QQQ vs. GWW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 13.58% return, which is significantly lower than GWW's 36.42% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has underperformed GWW with an annualized return of 20.72%, while GWW has yielded a comparatively higher 22.03% annualized return.

QQQ

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -5.91%
• 6M: 12.30%
• YTD: 13.58%
• 1Y: 24.61%
• 3Y*: 23.54%
• 5Y*: 14.68%
• 10Y*: 20.72%
• ALL TIME*: 10.70%

GWW

• 1D: -1.71%
• 1M: 0.43%
• 6M: 28.81%
• YTD: 36.42%
• 1Y: 34.50%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: 25.82%
• 10Y*: 22.03%
• ALL TIME*: 15.17%

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

QQQ vs. GWW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	13.58%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.	36.42%	-3.41%	28.21%	50.53%	8.75%	28.80%	22.85%	22.25%	21.69%	4.35%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and GWW is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.25
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.38
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between QQQ and GWW has dropped to 0.25 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. GWW — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 51
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 48
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 57

GWW

GWW Risk / Return Rank: 82
GWW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
GWW Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
GWW Omega Ratio Rank: 81
GWW Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
GWW Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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. GWW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW). 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	GWW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	1.38	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	1.89	-0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.27	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	2.60	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.22	5.49	+1.74

QQQ vs. GWW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is comparable to the GWW Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and GWW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. GWW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than GWW's maximum drawdown of -56.73%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and GWW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	GWW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-56.73%	-26.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-13.35%	+1.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-24.50%	+1.73%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-24.50%	-10.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-41.60%	+6.48%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.61%	-2.20%	-4.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.65%	-10.98%	-21.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	6.30%	-2.88%

Volatility

QQQ vs. GWW - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW) have volatilities of 7.41% and 7.52%, 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	GWW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.41%	7.52%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.55%	18.31%	-2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.78%	25.26%	-6.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.81%	24.74%	-1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.45%	28.51%	-6.06%

Dividends

QQQ vs. GWW - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, less than GWW's 0.68% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.	0.68%	0.88%	0.76%	0.88%	1.22%	1.23%	1.45%	1.68%	1.90%	2.14%	2.08%	2.27%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.44%	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 GWW in my portfolio?

QQQ and GWW have a correlation of 0.25, 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 GWW?

GWW has higher volatility (7.52%) compared to QQQ (7.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs GWW's -56.73%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GWW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.38 vs 1.32), 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.