QQQE vs. IAUM

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QQQE (Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares) and IAUM (iShares Gold Trust Micro) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQE is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while IAUM is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price PM. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QQQE returned 17.04%/yr vs 29.28%/yr for IAUM. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQE charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for IAUM.

Performance

QQQE vs. IAUM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQE achieves a 17.14% return, which is significantly higher than IAUM's -2.40% return.

QQQE

• 1D: 1.18%
• 1M: 5.18%
• YTD: 17.14%
• 6M: 16.29%
• 1Y: 26.96%
• 3Y*: 17.04%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

IAUM

• 1D: 0.10%
• 1M: -7.37%
• YTD: -2.40%
• 6M: -2.08%
• 1Y: 22.55%
• 3Y*: 29.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QQQE vs. IAUM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	17.14%	14.58%	6.98%	33.76%	-24.47%	6.08%
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	-2.40%	64.27%	27.04%	13.12%	-0.49%	3.87%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQE and IAUM is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 29, 2021	0.13

Return for Risk

QQQE vs. IAUM — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQE

QQQE Risk / Return Rank: 56
QQQE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
QQQE Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
QQQE Omega Ratio Rank: 52
QQQE Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQE Martin Ratio Rank: 58

IAUM

IAUM Risk / Return Rank: 27
IAUM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
IAUM Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
IAUM Omega Ratio Rank: 31
IAUM Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
IAUM Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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.

QQQE vs. IAUM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) and iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM). 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.

	QQQE	IAUM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.63	0.90	+0.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.23	1.26	+0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.19	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	1.00	+1.66
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.95	2.87	+6.08

QQQE vs. IAUM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQE Sharpe Ratio is 1.63, which is higher than the IAUM Sharpe Ratio of 0.90. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQE and IAUM, 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

QQQE vs. IAUM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQE drawdown since its inception was -32.14%, which is greater than IAUM's maximum drawdown of -24.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQE and IAUM.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQE	IAUM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.14%	-24.37%	-7.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.41%	-24.37%	+14.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.38%	-24.37%	+2.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.14%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-32.14%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.76%	-21.99%	+20.23%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.16%	-5.38%	+0.22%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	8.46%	-5.67%

Volatility

QQQE vs. IAUM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares (QQQE) is 7.04%, while iShares Gold Trust Micro (IAUM) has a volatility of 7.71%. This indicates that QQQE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IAUM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQE	IAUM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.04%	7.71%	-0.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.12%	23.82%	-11.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.28%	27.06%	-11.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.45%	18.05%	+2.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.79%	18.05%	+2.74%

QQQE vs. IAUM - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQE has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than IAUM's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQE vs. IAUM - Dividend Comparison

QQQE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.53%, while IAUM has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IAUM iShares Gold Trust Micro	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQE Direxion NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index Shares	0.53%	0.52%	0.86%	0.79%	0.98%	3.83%	0.54%	0.74%	0.80%	0.65%	1.17%	0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQE and IAUM in my portfolio?

QQQE and IAUM have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQE or IAUM?

IAUM has higher volatility (7.71%) compared to QQQE (7.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQE dropped -32.14% vs IAUM's -24.37%.

Which ETF is better, QQQE or IAUM?

On 3-year performance, IAUM leads with 29.28% vs 17.04% for QQQE. On fees, IAUM is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, QQQE has been the lower-risk option at 7.04%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQE or IAUM?

Over the 3-year period, IAUM has performed better with a 29.28% return vs 17.04%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQE or IAUM?

IAUM is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for QQQE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQE or IAUM?

QQQE has the higher dividend yield at 0.53%, compared with 0.00% for IAUM.

What is the main difference between QQQE and IAUM?

QQQE is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IAUM is Gold. QQQE tracks NASDAQ-100 Equal Weighted Index, while IAUM tracks LBMA Gold Price PM. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for QQQE and 0.09% for IAUM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.63 vs 0.90), 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.