QQQ vs. XLU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and XLU (State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while XLU is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Utilities Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.59%/yr vs 8.99%/yr for XLU. At a 0.34 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for XLU.

Performance

QQQ vs. XLU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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 XLU's 2.66% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has outperformed XLU with an annualized return of 21.59%, while XLU has yielded a comparatively lower 8.99% 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%

XLU

• 1D: -1.87%
• 1M: -2.68%
• YTD: 2.66%
• 6M: 3.35%
• 1Y: 10.26%
• 3Y*: 12.85%
• 5Y*: 9.10%
• 10Y*: 8.99%

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

QQQ vs. XLU - 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%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.66%	16.03%	23.31%	-7.18%	1.44%	17.70%	0.51%	25.93%	3.94%	12.05%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and XLU is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.08
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.12
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999	0.34

Over the past year, the correlation between QQQ and XLU has dropped to 0.08 - well below their long-term average of 0.34, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QQQ vs. XLU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQ	XLU
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%	-

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. XLU — 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

XLU

XLU Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLU Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XLU Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
XLU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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. XLU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU). 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.15	0.71	+1.45
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.77	1.04	+1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.13	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	1.12	+1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.43	2.47	+8.96
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. XLU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.15, which is higher than the XLU Sharpe Ratio of 0.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and XLU, 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	XLU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.15	0.71	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.53	+0.23
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97	0.47	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.40	+0.01

Drawdowns

QQQ vs. XLU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, which is greater than XLU's maximum drawdown of -51.98%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and XLU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQ	XLU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.97%	-51.98%	-30.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-9.18%	-2.78%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.77%	-17.26%	-5.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.12%	-25.26%	-9.86%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.12%	-36.07%	+0.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.03%	-8.18%	+4.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.77%	-10.22%	-22.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	4.16%	-1.02%

Volatility

QQQ vs. XLU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) at 5.60%. This indicates that QQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQ	XLU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	5.60%	+1.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.20%	11.70%	+1.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.74%	14.64%	+2.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.49%	17.34%	+5.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.36%	19.27%	+3.09%

QQQ vs. XLU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than XLU's 0.08% 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. XLU - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than XLU's 2.73% 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%
XLU State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF	2.73%	2.71%	2.96%	3.39%	2.92%	2.79%	3.14%	2.95%	3.33%	3.33%	3.41%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQ and XLU in my portfolio?

QQQ and XLU have a correlation of 0.08, 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 XLU?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to XLU (5.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs XLU's -51.98%.

Which ETF is better, QQQ or XLU?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.59% vs 8.99% for XLU. On fees, XLU is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, XLU has been the lower-risk option at 5.60%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQ or XLU?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.59% return vs 8.99%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQ or XLU?

XLU is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.

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

XLU has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QQQ and XLU?

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while XLU is Utilities Equities. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while XLU tracks Utilities Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.08% for XLU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 0.70), 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.