QQQ vs. VAW

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while VAW is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 22.48%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for VAW. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VAW.

Performance

QQQ vs. VAW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 20.41% return, which is significantly higher than VAW's 13.13% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed VAW with an annualized return of 22.48%, while VAW has yielded a comparatively lower 10.67% annualized return.

QQQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 40.91%
• 3Y*: 27.47%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 22.48%

VAW

• 1D: -0.13%
• 1M: 2.70%
• YTD: 13.13%
• 6M: 11.82%
• 1Y: 24.61%
• 3Y*: 11.91%
• 5Y*: 7.19%
• 10Y*: 10.67%

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

QQQ vs. VAW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	13.13%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	23.76%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and VAW is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.52
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2004	0.66

Over the past year, the correlation between QQQ and VAW has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QQQ vs. VAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQ	VAW
Technology	58.7%	0.1%
Communication Services	14.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	0.0%
Healthcare	3.7%	0.5%
Industrials	2.6%	1.1%
Utilities	1.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.0%	90.1%
Energy	0.5%	0.0%
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. VAW — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 38
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 38

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. VAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). 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	VAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	1.34	+0.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.03	1.93	+1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.23	+0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.44	1.84	+1.59
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.79	5.85	+6.93

QQQ vs. VAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the VAW Sharpe Ratio of 1.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and VAW, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. VAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than VAW's maximum drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and VAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	VAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-62.17%	-20.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-13.42%	+1.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-23.21%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-25.50%	-9.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-41.13%	+6.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.99%	-3.82%	+2.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.73%	-9.62%	-23.11%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.21%	4.22%	-1.01%

Volatility

QQQ vs. VAW - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 8.47% compared to Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) at 6.50%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	VAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.47%	6.50%	+1.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.20%	14.73%	-0.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.67%	18.44%	-0.77%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.64%	19.70%	+2.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.43%	21.27%	+1.16%

QQQ vs. VAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than VAW's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QQQ vs. VAW - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than VAW's 1.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.36%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQ and VAW in my portfolio?

QQQ and VAW have a correlation of 0.46, 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 VAW?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to VAW (6.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs VAW's -62.17%.

Which ETF is better, QQQ or VAW?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.48% vs 10.67% for VAW. On fees, VAW is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VAW has been the lower-risk option at 6.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQ or VAW?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 22.48% return vs 10.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQ or VAW?

VAW is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQ or VAW?

VAW has the higher dividend yield at 1.36%, compared with 0.49% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QQQ and VAW?

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VAW is Materials. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while VAW tracks MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.09% for VAW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.34), 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.