QQQ vs. RING
QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and RING (iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while RING is a Gold fund tracking the MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.79%/yr vs 13.85%/yr for RING. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for RING.
Performance
QQQ vs. RING - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 17.57% return, which is significantly higher than RING's -5.54% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed RING with an annualized return of 21.79%, while RING has yielded a comparatively lower 13.85% 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%
RING
- 1D
- 3.20%
- 1M
- -8.50%
- YTD
- -5.54%
- 6M
- -4.18%
- 1Y
- 54.08%
- 3Y*
- 44.87%
- 5Y*
- 18.76%
- 10Y*
- 13.85%
QQQ vs. RING - 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% |
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | -5.54% | 164.72% | 15.98% | 12.29% | -15.40% | -7.46% | 24.98% | 49.92% | -13.14% | 10.24% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQ and RING is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.17 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2012 | 0.16 |
Over the past year, QQQ and RING have become more correlated (0.36) than their long-term average of 0.16, meaning their price movements have been converging.
QQQ vs. RING - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
QQQ
RING
Technology
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Communication Services
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Consumer Cyclical
-
Consumer Defensive
-
Healthcare
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Industrials
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Utilities
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Basic Materials
Energy
-
Financial Services
-
Real Estate
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Technology
QQQ
RING
-
Communication Services
QQQ
RING
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Consumer Cyclical
QQQ
RING
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Consumer Defensive
QQQ
RING
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Healthcare
QQQ
RING
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Industrials
QQQ
RING
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Utilities
QQQ
RING
-
Basic Materials
QQQ
RING
Energy
QQQ
RING
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Financial Services
QQQ
RING
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Real Estate
QQQ
RING
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. RING — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
RING
QQQ vs. RING - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING). 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 | RING | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.11 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.37 | 1.23 | +0.14 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.01 | 1.59 | +1.42 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.22 | 4.45 | +6.77 |
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Drawdowns
QQQ vs. RING - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, roughly equal to the maximum RING drawdown of -79.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and RING.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | RING | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -79.47% | -3.50% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.96% | -35.72% | +23.76% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.77% | -35.72% | +12.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | -47.94% | +12.82% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | -52.04% | +16.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.33% | -30.03% | +26.70% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.75% | -47.36% | +14.61% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.20% | 12.74% | -9.54% |
Volatility
QQQ vs. RING - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 7.56%, while iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (RING) has a volatility of 16.83%. This indicates that QQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than RING based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QQQ | RING | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.56% | 16.83% | -9.27% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.81% | 39.11% | -25.30% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.19% | 47.31% | -30.12% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.55% | 36.81% | -14.26% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.38% | 36.70% | -14.32% |
QQQ vs. RING - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than RING's 0.39% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQ vs. RING - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than RING's 0.89% 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% |
RING iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF | 0.89% | 0.84% | 1.43% | 2.01% | 2.29% | 2.38% | 0.83% | 0.83% | 0.70% | 0.42% | 1.41% | 0.96% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQ and RING have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RING has higher volatility (16.83%) compared to QQQ (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs RING's -79.47%.
On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 13.85% for RING. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 7.56%. 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 13.85%. 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 0.39% for RING.
RING has the higher dividend yield at 0.89%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.
QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while RING is Gold. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while RING tracks MSCI ACWI Select Gold Miners Investable Market Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.39% for RING.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.20), 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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