QQQ vs. OUNZ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and OUNZ (VanEck Merk Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while OUNZ is a Precious Metals fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.59%/yr vs 12.64%/yr for OUNZ. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for OUNZ.

Performance

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 16.71% return, which is significantly higher than OUNZ's 0.29% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed OUNZ with an annualized return of 21.59%, while OUNZ has yielded a comparatively lower 12.64% annualized return.

QQQ

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 16.71%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 35.78%
• 3Y*: 27.15%
• 5Y*: 16.98%
• 10Y*: 21.59%

OUNZ

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.29%
• 6M: 3.12%
• 1Y: 30.33%
• 3Y*: 29.90%
• 5Y*: 17.72%
• 10Y*: 12.64%

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

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	0.29%	63.95%	26.75%	12.83%	-0.51%	-4.00%	24.71%	18.00%	-2.06%	12.82%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and OUNZ is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 19, 2014	0.02

The correlation between QQQ and OUNZ shifts across timeframes, from 0.02 (all time) to 0.19 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQ	OUNZ
Technology	53.8%	-
Communication Services	15.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	-
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Industrials	2.8%	-
Utilities	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	100.0%

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. OUNZ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

OUNZ

OUNZ Risk / Return Rank: 34
OUNZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
OUNZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
OUNZ Omega Ratio Rank: 39
OUNZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
OUNZ Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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. OUNZ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ). 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	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	1.14	+1.01
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	1.53	+1.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.52	+1.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	3.82	+7.62
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. OUNZ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the OUNZ Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and OUNZ, 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	OUNZ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	1.14	+1.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.99	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97	0.79	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.64	-0.24

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than OUNZ's maximum drawdown of -21.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and OUNZ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	OUNZ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-21.77%	-61.20%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-20.00%	+8.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-20.00%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-21.01%	-14.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-21.76%	-13.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.03%	-19.83%	+15.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.77%	-7.58%	-25.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	7.96%	-4.82%

Volatility

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) at 5.67%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than OUNZ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	OUNZ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	5.67%	+1.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.20%	23.29%	-10.09%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.74%	26.66%	-9.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.49%	17.99%	+4.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	16.00%	+6.36%

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than OUNZ's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QQQ vs. OUNZ - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, while OUNZ has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OUNZ VanEck Merk Gold Trust	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	0.39%	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 OUNZ in my portfolio?

QQQ and OUNZ have a correlation of 0.19, 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 OUNZ?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to OUNZ (5.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs OUNZ's -21.77%.

Which ETF is better, QQQ or OUNZ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.59% vs 12.64% for OUNZ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, OUNZ has been the lower-risk option at 5.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQ or OUNZ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.59% return vs 12.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQ or OUNZ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for OUNZ.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.00% for OUNZ.

What is the main difference between QQQ and OUNZ?

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while OUNZ is Precious Metals. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while OUNZ tracks LBMA Gold Price PM ($/ozt). They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Merk. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.25% for OUNZ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.14), 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.