QQQ vs. T

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.59%/yr vs 2.86%/yr for T. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QQQ vs. T - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and AT&T Inc. (T). 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 T's -7.40% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed T with an annualized return of 21.59%, while T has yielded a comparatively lower 2.86% 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%

T

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -10.57%
• YTD: -7.40%
• 6M: -7.40%
• 1Y: -16.38%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

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

QQQ vs. T - 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%
T AT&T Inc.	-7.40%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and T is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.33

The correlation between QQQ and T shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. T — 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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 11
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
T Omega Ratio Rank: 13
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
T Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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. T - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and AT&T Inc. (T). 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	T	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	-0.75	+2.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	-0.98	+3.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	0.89	+0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	-0.75	+3.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	-1.59	+13.02
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. T - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the T Sharpe Ratio of -0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and T, 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	T	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	-0.75	+2.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.28	+0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97	0.12	+0.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.38	+0.03

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. T - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than T's maximum drawdown of -64.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and T.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	T	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-64.15%	-18.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-21.87%	+9.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-21.87%	-0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-32.01%	-3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-42.35%	+7.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.03%	-21.87%	+17.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.77%	-15.72%	-17.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	10.34%	-7.20%

Volatility

QQQ vs. T - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 6.84%, while AT&T Inc. (T) has a volatility of 7.50%. This indicates that QQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than T based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	T	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	7.50%	-0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.20%	17.57%	-4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.74%	21.98%	-5.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.49%	23.97%	-1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	23.71%	-1.35%

Dividends

QQQ vs. T - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than T's 4.93% 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%
T AT&T Inc.	4.93%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQ and T in my portfolio?

QQQ and T have a correlation of -0.21, 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 T?

T has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to QQQ (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs T's -64.15%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs -0.75), 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.