QQQ vs. WAB

Last updated Apr 4, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB).

QQQ is a passively managed fund by Invesco that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Mar 10, 1999.

Performance

QQQ vs. WAB - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a -4.65% return, which is significantly lower than WAB's 19.10% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed WAB with an annualized return of 19.05%, while WAB has yielded a comparatively lower 13.01% annualized return.

QQQ

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: -4.10%
• YTD: -4.65%
• 6M: -2.77%
• 1Y: 30.43%
• 3Y*: 22.97%
• 5Y*: 13.18%
• 10Y*: 19.05%

WAB

• 1D: -0.83%
• 1M: -2.64%
• YTD: 19.10%
• 6M: 27.21%
• 1Y: 47.01%
• 3Y*: 36.77%
• 5Y*: 27.02%
• 10Y*: 13.01%

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

QQQ vs. WAB - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	-4.65%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%
WAB Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation	19.10%	13.15%	50.14%	27.96%	9.07%	26.53%	-5.23%	11.46%	-13.26%	-1.36%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and WAB is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners. Combining low-correlation assets is one of the most reliable ways to reduce portfolio risk without sacrificing expected returns.

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. WAB — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 59
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 57

WAB

WAB Risk / Return Rank: 79
WAB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
WAB Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
WAB Omega Ratio Rank: 77
WAB Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
WAB Martin Ratio Rank: 78

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. WAB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB). 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	WAB	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	1.39	-0.35
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	2.01	-0.39
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.27	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	2.82	-0.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.00	6.23	+0.77
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. WAB - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is comparable to the WAB Sharpe Ratio of 1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and WAB, 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	WAB	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	1.39	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59	1.06	-0.47
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	0.42	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.35	+0.03

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. WAB - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than WAB's maximum drawdown of -71.85%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and WAB.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	WAB	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-71.85%	-11.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-13.29%	+1.33%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-23.55%	-11.57%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-64.08%	+28.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.75%	-4.11%	-3.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.98%	-24.10%	-8.88%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	6.25%	-2.77%

Volatility

QQQ vs. WAB - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 6.38%, while Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB) has a volatility of 9.16%. This indicates that QQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than WAB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	WAB	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	9.16%	-2.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.82%	15.93%	-3.11%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.69%	26.92%	-4.23%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.37%	25.60%	-3.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.24%	31.23%	-8.99%

Dividends

QQQ vs. WAB - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.48%, more than WAB's 0.42% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.48%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
WAB Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation	0.42%	0.47%	0.42%	0.54%	0.60%	0.52%	0.66%	0.62%	0.68%	0.54%	0.43%	0.39%