QQQ vs. IGV

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and IGV (iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while IGV is a Technology Equities fund tracking the S&P North American Expanded Technology Software Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 20.72%/yr vs 15.60%/yr for IGV. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for IGV.

Performance

QQQ vs. IGV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV). 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 higher than IGV's -12.01% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed IGV with an annualized return of 20.72%, while IGV has yielded a comparatively lower 15.60% 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%

IGV

• 1D: 0.19%
• 1M: 4.37%
• 6M: -5.40%
• YTD: -12.01%
• 1Y: -16.26%
• 3Y*: 9.01%
• 5Y*: 3.20%
• 10Y*: 15.60%
• ALL TIME*: 9.30%

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

QQQ vs. IGV - 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%
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF	-12.01%	5.56%	23.41%	58.56%	-35.65%	12.30%	52.86%	34.33%	12.44%	42.16%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and IGV is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 13, 2001	0.84

Over the past year, the correlation between QQQ and IGV has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.84, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QQQ vs. IGV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQ	IGV
Technology	60.9%	89.3%
Communication Services	13.1%	8.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	0.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.3%	-
Healthcare	3.6%	-
Industrials	2.7%	0.1%
Utilities	1.1%	-
Basic Materials	1.0%	-
Energy	0.5%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	1.9%
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. IGV — 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

IGV

IGV Risk / Return Rank: 5
IGV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
IGV Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
IGV Omega Ratio Rank: 5
IGV Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
IGV Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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. IGV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV). 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	IGV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.32	-0.57	+1.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.83	-0.65	+2.48
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	0.92	+0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	-0.45	+2.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.22	-0.86	+8.09

QQQ vs. IGV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the IGV Sharpe Ratio of -0.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and IGV, 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. IGV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than IGV's maximum drawdown of -63.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and IGV.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	IGV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-63.45%	-19.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-36.61%	+24.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-36.61%	+13.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-45.85%	+10.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-45.85%	+10.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.61%	-21.05%	+14.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.65%	-14.48%	-18.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.42%	18.89%	-15.47%

Volatility

QQQ vs. IGV - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) have volatilities of 7.41% and 7.17%, 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	IGV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.41%	7.17%	+0.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.55%	25.18%	-9.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.78%	28.69%	-9.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.81%	28.08%	-5.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.45%	26.41%	-3.96%

QQQ vs. IGV - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than IGV's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. IGV - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%, more than IGV's 0.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IGV iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF	0.02%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%	0.01%	0.00%	0.35%	0.02%	0.16%	0.09%	0.82%	0.22%
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 IGV in my portfolio?

QQQ and IGV have a correlation of 0.55, 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 IGV?

QQQ has higher volatility (7.41%) compared to IGV (7.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs IGV's -63.45%.

Which ETF is better, QQQ or IGV?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 20.72% vs 15.60% for IGV. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, IGV has been the lower-risk option at 7.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQ or IGV?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 20.72% return vs 15.60%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQ or IGV?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for IGV.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.02% for IGV.

What is the main difference between QQQ and IGV?

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IGV is Technology Equities. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while IGV tracks S&P North American Expanded Technology Software Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.39% for IGV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -0.57), 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.