QQQG vs. SCHG

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QQQG (Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF) and SCHG (Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQG is a Nasdaq-100 fund actively managed by Pacer, while SCHG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Large-Cap Growth Total Stock Market Index. QQQG is actively managed, while SCHG is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQG returned 42.34% vs 24.64% for SCHG. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQG charges 0.49%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for SCHG.

Performance

QQQG vs. SCHG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQG achieves a 31.28% return, which is significantly higher than SCHG's 6.42% return.

QQQG

• 1D: 0.83%
• 1M: 16.77%
• YTD: 31.28%
• 6M: 30.36%
• 1Y: 42.34%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SCHG

• 1D: -1.23%
• 1M: 4.81%
• YTD: 6.42%
• 6M: 5.81%
• 1Y: 24.64%
• 3Y*: 25.02%
• 5Y*: 15.59%
• 10Y*: 18.77%

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

QQQG vs. SCHG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	31.28%	14.72%	2.23%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	6.42%	17.50%	9.32%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQG and SCHG is 0.82, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 21, 2024	0.84

The correlation between QQQG and SCHG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQG vs. SCHG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQG	SCHG
Technology	68.6%	46.3%
Healthcare	12.1%	7.7%
Communication Services	10.2%	16.0%
Consumer Cyclical	3.6%	12.7%
Industrials	2.6%	5.8%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	1.7%
Energy	1.4%	0.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.4%
Financial Services	-	6.7%
Real Estate	-	0.5%
Utilities	-	0.4%

Return for Risk

QQQG vs. SCHG — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQG

QQQG Risk / Return Rank: 62
QQQG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
QQQG Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QQQG Omega Ratio Rank: 60
QQQG Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
QQQG Martin Ratio Rank: 62

SCHG

SCHG Risk / Return Rank: 39
SCHG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
SCHG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
SCHG Omega Ratio Rank: 43
SCHG Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
SCHG Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

QQQG vs. SCHG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG). 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.

	QQQG	SCHG	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	1.60	+0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.87	2.18	+0.69
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.28	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.16	1.51	+1.65
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	11.40	5.04	+6.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQG vs. SCHG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQG Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the SCHG Sharpe Ratio of 1.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQG and SCHG, 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

	QQQG	SCHG	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	1.60	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.87	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.18	0.84	+0.34

Drawdowns

QQQG vs. SCHG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQG drawdown since its inception was -23.61%, smaller than the maximum SCHG drawdown of -34.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQG and SCHG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQG	SCHG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-23.61%	-34.59%	+10.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.79%	-16.41%	+2.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-23.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.59%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-34.59%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.78%	+1.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.60%	-5.20%	+1.60%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	4.90%	-1.07%

Volatility

QQQG vs. SCHG - Volatility Comparison

Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF (QQQG) has a higher volatility of 5.31% compared to Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF (SCHG) at 3.61%. This indicates that QQQG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SCHG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQG	SCHG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	3.61%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.03%	11.62%	+4.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.65%	15.50%	+4.15%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.43%	22.27%	+1.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.43%	21.55%	+1.88%

QQQG vs. SCHG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQG has a 0.49% expense ratio, which is higher than SCHG's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQG vs. SCHG - Dividend Comparison

QQQG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.04%, less than SCHG's 0.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQG Pacer Nasdaq 100 Top 50 Cash Cows Growth Leaders ETF	0.04%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SCHG Schwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF	0.36%	0.36%	0.39%	0.46%	0.55%	0.42%	0.52%	0.82%	1.27%	1.01%	1.04%	1.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQG and SCHG in my portfolio?

QQQG and SCHG have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQG or SCHG?

QQQG has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to SCHG (3.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQG dropped -23.61% vs SCHG's -34.59%.

Which ETF is better, QQQG or SCHG?

On 1-year performance, QQQG leads with 42.34% vs 24.64% for SCHG. On fees, SCHG is cheaper at 0.04% per year. On volatility, SCHG has been the lower-risk option at 3.61%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQG or SCHG?

Over the 1-year period, QQQG has performed better with a 42.34% return vs 24.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQG or SCHG?

SCHG is cheaper with a 0.04% expense ratio, compared with 0.49% for QQQG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQG or SCHG?

SCHG has the higher dividend yield at 0.36%, compared with 0.04% for QQQG.

What is the main difference between QQQG and SCHG?

QQQG is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SCHG is Large Cap Growth Equities. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Charles Schwab. Their fees differ too: 0.49% for QQQG and 0.04% for SCHG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 1.60), 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.