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QQQ vs. XBI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QQQ vs. XBI

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and XBI (SPDR S&P Biotech ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while XBI is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.79%/yr vs 9.55%/yr for XBI. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XBI.

Performance

QQQ vs. XBI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 17.57% return, which is significantly higher than XBI's 9.73% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed XBI with an annualized return of 21.79%, while XBI has yielded a comparatively lower 9.55% 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%

XBI

1D
0.79%
1M
-0.79%
YTD
9.73%
6M
9.02%
1Y
60.62%
3Y*
14.23%
5Y*
-0.20%
10Y*
9.55%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQQ vs. XBI - 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%
XBI
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF		9.73%35.89%1.01%7.60%-25.87%-20.45%48.33%32.56%-15.28%43.77%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and XBI is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.42

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

0.46

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

0.53

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

0.56

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2006

0.62

The correlation between QQQ and XBI shifts across timeframes, from 0.42 (1 year) to 0.62 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

QQQ vs. XBI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QQQ
XBI

Technology

58.7%

-

Communication Services

14.3%

-

Consumer Cyclical

11.4%

-

Consumer Defensive

6.4%

-

Healthcare

3.7%
99.7%

Industrials

2.6%

-

Utilities

1.2%

-

Basic Materials

1.0%
0.2%

Energy

0.5%

-

Financial Services

0.2%
0.3%

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Technology

QQQ
58.7%
XBI

-

Communication Services

QQQ
14.3%
XBI

-

Consumer Cyclical

QQQ
11.4%
XBI

-

Consumer Defensive

QQQ
6.4%
XBI

-

Healthcare

QQQ
3.7%
XBI
99.7%

Industrials

QQQ
2.6%
XBI

-

Utilities

QQQ
1.2%
XBI

-

Basic Materials

QQQ
1.0%
XBI
0.2%

Energy

QQQ
0.5%
XBI

-

Financial Services

QQQ
0.2%
XBI
0.3%

Real Estate

QQQ
0.1%
XBI

-

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

SPDR S&P Biotech ETF

Often compared with QQQ:
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Often compared with XBI:
XBI vs. IBBXBI vs. ARKGXBI vs. LABUXBI vs. BBHXBI vs. VOOXBI vs. IBBQXBI vs. FBIOX

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. XBI — 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
XBI
XBI Risk / Return Rank: 8484
Overall Rank
XBI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8282
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XBI Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
XBI Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
XBI Calmar Ratio Rank: 9494
Calmar Ratio Rank
XBI Martin Ratio Rank: 9090
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. XBI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI). 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.

QQQXBIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.09
2.28

-0.19

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
3.11

-0.38

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.37

0.00

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

6.12

-3.11

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

18.07

-6.85

QQQ vs. XBI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the XBI Sharpe Ratio of 2.28. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and XBI, 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. XBI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than XBI's maximum drawdown of -63.89%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and XBI.

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Drawdown Indicators

QQQXBIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.97%

-63.89%

-19.08%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.96%

-9.72%

-2.24%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.77%

-32.99%

+10.22%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.12%

-54.71%

+19.59%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.12%

-63.89%

+28.77%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.33%

-22.67%

+19.34%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.75%

-20.93%

-11.82%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.20%

3.30%

-0.10%

Volatility

QQQ vs. XBI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 7.56%, while SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) has a volatility of 10.39%. This indicates that QQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XBI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QQQXBIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.56%

10.39%

-2.83%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.81%

20.76%

-6.95%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.19%

26.09%

-8.90%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.55%

32.21%

-9.66%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.38%

32.01%

-9.63%

QQQ vs. XBI - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than XBI's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. XBI - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, more than XBI's 0.33% 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%
XBI
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF		0.33%0.37%0.15%0.02%0.00%0.04%0.20%0.00%0.28%0.24%0.26%0.61%

Frequently Asked Questions

QQQ and XBI have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

XBI has higher volatility (10.39%) compared to QQQ (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs XBI's -63.89%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 9.55% for XBI. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 7.56%. 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 9.55%. 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 0.35% for XBI.

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.33% for XBI.

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while XBI is Health & Biotech Equities. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while XBI tracks S&P Biotechnology Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.35% for XBI.

XBI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.28 vs 2.09), 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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