QQQ vs. SPHD
QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and SPHD (Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while SPHD is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.81%/yr vs 7.36%/yr for SPHD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for SPHD.
Performance
QQQ vs. SPHD - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 18.15% return, which is significantly higher than SPHD's 10.31% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed SPHD with an annualized return of 21.81%, while SPHD has yielded a comparatively lower 7.36% annualized return.
QQQ
- 1D
- 2.49%
- 1M
- -1.82%
- YTD
- 18.15%
- 6M
- 16.90%
- 1Y
- 32.75%
- 3Y*
- 25.87%
- 5Y*
- 16.05%
- 10Y*
- 21.81%
SPHD
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- 4.45%
- YTD
- 10.31%
- 6M
- 9.76%
- 1Y
- 14.59%
- 3Y*
- 12.30%
- 5Y*
- 7.49%
- 10Y*
- 7.36%
QQQ vs. SPHD - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 18.15% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
SPHD Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF | 10.31% | 3.41% | 18.08% | 1.32% | 0.58% | 24.98% | -9.98% | 20.26% | -6.17% | 11.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between QQQ and SPHD is -0.04, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.04 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2012 | 0.45 |
The correlation between QQQ and SPHD shifts across timeframes, from -0.04 (1 year) to 0.45 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
QQQ vs. SPHD — Risk / Return Rank
QQQ
SPHD
QQQ vs. SPHD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD). 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 | SPHD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.49 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.22 | +0.10 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.75 | 2.00 | +0.75 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.06 | 4.90 | +5.16 |
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Drawdowns
QQQ vs. SPHD - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than SPHD's maximum drawdown of -41.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and SPHD.
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Drawdown Indicators
| QQQ | SPHD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.97% | -41.39% | -41.58% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.96% | -7.33% | -4.63% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -22.77% | -13.29% | -9.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.12% | -19.50% | -15.62% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -35.12% | -41.39% | +6.27% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.85% | -0.14% | -2.71% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -32.71% | -4.69% | -28.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.26% | 2.98% | +0.28% |
Volatility
QQQ vs. SPHD - Volatility Comparison
Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 9.43% compared to Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) at 4.41%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPHD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| QQQ | SPHD | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.43% | 4.41% | +5.02% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.81% | 8.19% | +6.62% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.14% | 11.47% | +6.67% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.72% | 14.16% | +8.56% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.41% | 17.62% | +4.79% |
QQQ vs. SPHD - Expense Ratio Comparison
QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than SPHD's 0.30% expense ratio.
Dividends
QQQ vs. SPHD - Dividend Comparison
QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.42%, less than SPHD's 4.51% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.42% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
SPHD Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF | 4.51% | 4.02% | 3.41% | 4.48% | 3.89% | 3.45% | 4.89% | 4.07% | 4.40% | 3.14% | 3.83% | 3.49% |
Frequently Asked Questions
QQQ and SPHD have a correlation of -0.04, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
QQQ has higher volatility (9.43%) compared to SPHD (4.41%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs SPHD's -41.39%.
On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.81% vs 7.36% for SPHD. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SPHD has been the lower-risk option at 4.41%. 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 21.81% return vs 7.36%. 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 0.30% for SPHD.
SPHD has the higher dividend yield at 4.51%, compared with 0.42% for QQQ.
QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SPHD is Dividend. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while SPHD tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.30% for SPHD.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.28), 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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