QQQM vs. IAU

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) and IAU (iShares Gold Trust) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQM is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while IAU is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQM returned 17.06%/yr vs 17.71%/yr for IAU. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. QQQM charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for IAU.

Performance

QQQM vs. IAU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQM achieves a 16.72% return, which is significantly higher than IAU's 0.26% return.

QQQM

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 16.72%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 35.86%
• 3Y*: 27.25%
• 5Y*: 17.06%
• 10Y*: —

IAU

• 1D: 0.20%
• 1M: -8.43%
• YTD: 0.26%
• 6M: 3.08%
• 1Y: 30.27%
• 3Y*: 29.88%
• 5Y*: 17.71%
• 10Y*: 12.71%

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

QQQM vs. IAU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	16.72%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	27.45%	6.67%
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.26%	63.95%	26.85%	12.84%	-0.63%	-4.00%	0.44%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQM and IAU is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2020	0.12

QQQM vs. IAU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQM	IAU
Technology	53.8%	-
Communication Services	15.8%	-
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	-
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	-
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Industrials	2.8%	-
Utilities	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	-
Energy	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	100.0%

Return for Risk

QQQM vs. IAU — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 71
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 68

IAU

IAU Risk / Return Rank: 33
IAU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
IAU Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IAU Omega Ratio Rank: 38
IAU Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
IAU Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

QQQM vs. IAU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU). 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.

	QQQM	IAU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.16	1.14	+1.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.78	1.52	+1.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.23	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	1.52	+1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.44	3.80	+7.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQM vs. IAU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQM Sharpe Ratio is 2.16, which is higher than the IAU Sharpe Ratio of 1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQM and IAU, 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

	QQQM	IAU	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.16	1.14	+1.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77	0.99	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.80	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.61	+0.19

Drawdowns

QQQM vs. IAU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQM drawdown since its inception was -35.04%, smaller than the maximum IAU drawdown of -45.14%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQM and IAU.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQM	IAU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.04%	-45.14%	+10.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.96%	-20.04%	+8.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.70%	-20.04%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.04%	-20.93%	-14.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-21.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.04%	-19.88%	+15.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.24%	-15.97%	+7.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.14%	7.99%	-4.85%

Volatility

QQQM vs. IAU - Volatility Comparison

Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a higher volatility of 6.83% compared to iShares Gold Trust (IAU) at 5.64%. This indicates that QQQM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IAU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQM	IAU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.83%	5.64%	+1.19%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.15%	23.33%	-10.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.70%	26.68%	-9.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.34%	18.02%	+4.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.20%	15.94%	+6.26%

QQQM vs. IAU - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQM has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than IAU's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QQQM vs. IAU - Dividend Comparison

QQQM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%, while IAU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
IAU iShares Gold Trust	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.43%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQM and IAU in my portfolio?

QQQM and IAU have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQM or IAU?

QQQM has higher volatility (6.83%) compared to IAU (5.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQM dropped -35.04% vs IAU's -45.14%.

Which ETF is better, QQQM or IAU?

On 5-year performance, IAU leads with 17.71% vs 17.06% for QQQM. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, IAU has been the lower-risk option at 5.64%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQM or IAU?

Over the 5-year period, IAU has performed better with a 17.71% return vs 17.06%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQM or IAU?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for IAU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQM or IAU?

QQQM has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.00% for IAU.

What is the main difference between QQQM and IAU?

QQQM is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while IAU is Gold. QQQM tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while IAU tracks LBMA Gold Price. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for QQQM and 0.25% for IAU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.14), 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.