QQQ vs. QQQE
QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) are both Nasdaq-100 funds - QQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index while QQQE tracks the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.79%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for QQQE. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for QQQE.
Performance
QQQ vs. QQQE - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with QQQ having a 17.57% return and QQQE slightly lower at 17.14%. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed QQQE with an annualized return of 21.79%, while QQQE has yielded a comparatively lower 15.61% annualized return.
QQQ
- 1D
- 0.59%
- 1M
- 1.75%
- YTD
- 17.57%
- 6M
- 17.85%
- 1Y
- 37.55%
- 3Y*
- 26.43%
- 5Y*
- 16.85%
- 10Y*
- 21.79%
QQQE
- 1D
- 1.18%
- 1M
- 5.18%
- YTD
- 17.14%
- 6M
- 16.29%
- 1Y
- 26.96%
- 3Y*
- 17.04%
- 5Y*
- 9.60%
- 10Y*
- 15.61%
QQQ vs. QQQE - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 17.57% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares | 17.14% | 14.58% | 6.98% | 33.76% | -24.47% | 17.93% | 37.85% | 36.43% | -5.40% | 26.53% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQ and QQQE is 0.87, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 21, 2012 | 0.90 |
The correlation between QQQ and QQQE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.
QQQ vs. QQQE - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
QQQ
QQQE
Technology
Communication Services
Consumer Cyclical
Consumer Defensive
Healthcare
Industrials
Utilities
Basic Materials
Energy
Financial Services
Real Estate
Technology
QQQ
QQQE
Communication Services
QQQ
QQQE
Consumer Cyclical
QQQ
QQQE
Consumer Defensive
QQQ
QQQE
Healthcare
QQQ
QQQE
Industrials
QQQ
QQQE
Utilities
QQQ
QQQE
Basic Materials
QQQ
QQQE
Energy
QQQ
QQQE
Financial Services
QQQ
QQQE
Real Estate
QQQ
QQQE
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. QQQE — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
QQQE
QQQ vs. QQQE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE). 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 | QQQE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.46 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.50 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.29 | +0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.01 | 2.65 | +0.35 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.22 | 8.95 | +2.27 |
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Drawdowns
QQQ vs. QQQE - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than QQQE's maximum drawdown of -32.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and QQQE.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | QQQE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -32.14% | -50.83% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.96% | -9.41% | -2.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.77% | -21.38% | -1.39% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | -32.14% | -2.98% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | -32.14% | -2.98% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.33% | -1.76% | -1.57% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.75% | -5.16% | -27.59% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.20% | 2.79% | +0.41% |
Volatility
QQQ vs. QQQE - Volatility Comparison
Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 7.56% compared to Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) at 7.04%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QQQ | QQQE | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.56% | 7.04% | +0.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.81% | 12.12% | +1.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.19% | 15.28% | +1.91% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.55% | 20.45% | +2.10% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.38% | 20.79% | +1.59% |
QQQ vs. QQQE - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQE's 0.35% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQ vs. QQQE - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than QQQE's 0.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares | 0.53% | 0.52% | 0.86% | 0.79% | 0.98% | 3.83% | 0.54% | 0.74% | 0.80% | 0.65% | 1.17% | 0.57% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQ and QQQE have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to QQQE (7.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs QQQE's -32.14%.
On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 15.61% for QQQE. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQE has been the lower-risk option at 7.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.79% return vs 15.61%. 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 0.35% for QQQE.
QQQE has the higher dividend yield at 0.53%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.
QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.35% for QQQE.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.63), 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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