QQQA vs. ITOT

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

QQQA (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF) and ITOT (iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQA is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while ITOT is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQA returned 14.43%/yr vs 11.85%/yr for ITOT. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQA charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for ITOT.

Performance

QQQA vs. ITOT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQA achieves a 65.39% return, which is significantly higher than ITOT's 8.95% return.

QQQA

• 1D: 1.95%
• 1M: 7.50%
• YTD: 65.39%
• 6M: 61.39%
• 1Y: 87.84%
• 3Y*: 34.29%
• 5Y*: 14.43%
• 10Y*: —

ITOT

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -1.51%
• YTD: 8.95%
• 6M: 7.49%
• 1Y: 22.95%
• 3Y*: 20.80%
• 5Y*: 11.85%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

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

QQQA vs. ITOT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	65.39%	9.87%	16.17%	24.98%	-29.08%	9.84%
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	8.95%	17.00%	23.80%	26.12%	-19.47%	14.47%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQA and ITOT is 0.77, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.77
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2021	0.83

The correlation between QQQA and ITOT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQA vs. ITOT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQA	ITOT
Technology	78.6%	37.2%
Communication Services	6.7%	9.8%
Energy	6.0%	3.3%
Healthcare	5.4%	8.8%
Consumer Cyclical	3.3%	9.8%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.3%
Financial Services	-	11.4%
Industrials	-	9.1%
Real Estate	-	2.3%
Utilities	-	2.1%

Return for Risk

QQQA vs. ITOT — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQA

QQQA Risk / Return Rank: 91
QQQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 93
QQQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
QQQA Omega Ratio Rank: 88
QQQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
QQQA Martin Ratio Rank: 93

ITOT

ITOT Risk / Return Rank: 64
ITOT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
ITOT Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
ITOT Omega Ratio Rank: 62
ITOT Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
ITOT Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

QQQA vs. ITOT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) and iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT). 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.

	QQQA	ITOT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.92	1.81	+1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.36	2.47	+0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.32	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.07	2.59	+3.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.55	11.40	+10.15

QQQA vs. ITOT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQA Sharpe Ratio is 2.92, which is higher than the ITOT Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQA and ITOT, 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

QQQA vs. ITOT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQA drawdown since its inception was -38.44%, smaller than the maximum ITOT drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQA and ITOT.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQA	ITOT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.44%	-55.20%	+16.76%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.54%	-8.90%	-5.64%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.84%	-19.44%	-11.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.44%	-25.36%	-13.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.47%	-2.78%	-2.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.53%	-6.96%	-8.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.09%	2.02%	+2.07%

Volatility

QQQA vs. ITOT - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) has a higher volatility of 16.88% compared to iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (ITOT) at 4.87%. This indicates that QQQA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ITOT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQA	ITOT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.88%	4.87%	+12.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.73%	10.00%	+16.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	30.28%	12.77%	+17.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.74%	17.46%	+9.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.54%	18.27%	+8.27%

QQQA vs. ITOT - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQA has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than ITOT's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQA vs. ITOT - Dividend Comparison

QQQA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.02%, less than ITOT's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ITOT iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF	1.02%	1.11%	1.23%	1.47%	1.66%	1.18%	1.41%	1.88%	2.14%	1.69%	1.83%	2.01%
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	0.02%	0.10%	0.09%	0.34%	0.28%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQA and ITOT in my portfolio?

QQQA and ITOT have a correlation of 0.77, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQA or ITOT?

QQQA has higher volatility (16.88%) compared to ITOT (4.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQA dropped -38.44% vs ITOT's -55.20%.

Which ETF is better, QQQA or ITOT?

On 5-year performance, QQQA leads with 14.43% vs 11.85% for ITOT. On fees, ITOT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, ITOT has been the lower-risk option at 4.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQA or ITOT?

Over the 5-year period, QQQA has performed better with a 14.43% return vs 11.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQA or ITOT?

ITOT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for QQQA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQA or ITOT?

ITOT has the higher dividend yield at 1.02%, compared with 0.02% for QQQA.

What is the main difference between QQQA and ITOT?

QQQA is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while ITOT is Large Cap Blend Equities. QQQA tracks NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while ITOT tracks S&P Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQQA and 0.03% for ITOT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs 1.80), 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.