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QQQ vs. UTES
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QQQ vs. UTES

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and UTES (Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while UTES is a Utilities Equities fund actively managed by Virtus Investment Partners. QQQ is passively managed, while UTES is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.79%/yr vs 12.27%/yr for UTES. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.49%/yr for UTES.

Performance

QQQ vs. UTES - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 17.57% return, which is significantly higher than UTES's 0.26% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed UTES with an annualized return of 21.79%, while UTES has yielded a comparatively lower 12.27% annualized return.

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.22%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
37.55%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%

UTES

1D
1.56%
1M
-0.82%
YTD
0.26%
6M
0.49%
1Y
8.95%
3Y*
22.00%
5Y*
15.32%
10Y*
12.27%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQQ vs. UTES - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%
UTES
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF		0.26%25.71%45.35%-2.46%0.80%20.74%-0.30%25.48%5.14%14.21%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and UTES is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.33

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.32

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.36

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.29

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 24, 2015

0.28

QQQ vs. UTES - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QQQ
UTES

Technology

53.8%

-

Communication Services

15.8%

-

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%

-

Consumer Defensive

7.7%

-

Healthcare

4.2%

-

Industrials

2.8%

-

Utilities

1.4%
100.0%

Basic Materials

1.1%

-

Energy

0.6%

-

Financial Services

0.2%

-

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Technology

QQQ
53.8%
UTES

-

Communication Services

QQQ
15.8%
UTES

-

Consumer Cyclical

QQQ
12.3%
UTES

-

Consumer Defensive

QQQ
7.7%
UTES

-

Healthcare

QQQ
4.2%
UTES

-

Industrials

QQQ
2.8%
UTES

-

Utilities

QQQ
1.4%
UTES
100.0%

Basic Materials

QQQ
1.1%
UTES

-

Energy

QQQ
0.6%
UTES

-

Financial Services

QQQ
0.2%
UTES

-

Real Estate

QQQ
0.1%
UTES

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Invesco QQQ ETF

Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF

Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI
Often compared with UTES:
UTES vs. XLUUTES vs. FUTYUTES vs. VPUUTES vs. FXUUTES vs. UMAX.TOUTES vs. PUIUTES vs. PAVE

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. UTES — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
UTES
UTES Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
UTES Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1616
Sharpe Ratio Rank
UTES Sortino Ratio Rank: 1616
Sortino Ratio Rank
UTES Omega Ratio Rank: 1515
Omega Ratio Rank
UTES Calmar Ratio Rank: 1818
Calmar Ratio Rank
UTES Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
Martin Ratio Rank
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. UTES - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES). 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.

QQQUTESDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.09
0.39

+1.70

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
0.67

+2.06

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.08

+0.28

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

0.60

+2.41

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

1.32

+9.90

QQQ vs. UTES - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is higher than the UTES Sharpe Ratio of 0.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and UTES, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

QQQ vs. UTES - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than UTES's maximum drawdown of -35.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and UTES.

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Drawdown Indicators

QQQUTESDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.97%

-35.39%

-47.58%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.96%

-13.88%

+1.92%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.77%

-17.62%

-5.15%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.12%

-20.40%

-14.72%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.12%

-35.39%

+0.27%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.33%

-9.10%

+5.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.75%

-5.53%

-27.22%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.20%

6.29%

-3.09%

Volatility

QQQ vs. UTES - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF (UTES) have volatilities of 7.56% and 7.23%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QQQUTESDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.56%

7.23%

+0.33%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.81%

17.05%

-3.24%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.19%

21.32%

-4.13%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.55%

20.62%

+1.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.38%

20.17%

+2.21%

QQQ vs. UTES - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than UTES's 0.49% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. UTES - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than UTES's 1.49% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
UTES
Virtus Reaves Utilities ETF		1.49%1.42%1.51%2.44%2.13%1.94%2.09%1.84%2.09%3.44%3.53%0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

QQQ and UTES have a correlation of 0.33, 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 UTES (7.23%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs UTES's -35.39%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 12.27% for UTES. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, UTES has been the lower-risk option at 7.23%. 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 12.27%. 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 0.49% for UTES.

UTES has the higher dividend yield at 1.49%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while UTES is Utilities Equities. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Virtus Investment Partners. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.49% for UTES.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 0.39), 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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