QQQS vs. IWC

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QQQS (Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF) and IWC (iShares Micro-Cap ETF) are both Small Cap Blend Equities funds - QQQS tracks the Nasdaq Innovators Completion Cap Total Return Index while IWC tracks the Russell Microcap Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QQQS returned 15.89%/yr vs 21.73%/yr for IWC. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQS charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for IWC.

Performance

QQQS vs. IWC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQS achieves a 27.27% return, which is significantly higher than IWC's 18.97% return.

QQQS

• 1D: -1.70%
• 1M: 5.91%
• YTD: 27.27%
• 6M: 27.40%
• 1Y: 79.99%
• 3Y*: 15.89%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IWC

• 1D: -2.09%
• 1M: 2.88%
• YTD: 18.97%
• 6M: 18.63%
• 1Y: 55.24%
• 3Y*: 21.73%
• 5Y*: 5.45%
• 10Y*: 11.35%

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

QQQS vs. IWC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	27.27%	23.03%	10.20%	-1.94%	6.56%
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	18.97%	22.45%	13.63%	8.99%	2.41%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQS and IWC is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2022	0.92

The correlation between QQQS and IWC has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQS vs. IWC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQS	IWC
Technology	42.1%	18.4%
Healthcare	41.0%	28.1%
Consumer Cyclical	5.2%	5.3%
Industrials	4.8%	13.3%
Communication Services	2.4%	1.8%
Energy	2.2%	4.7%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.0%	4.4%
Financial Services	0.0%	18.1%
Real Estate	-	3.5%
Utilities	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

QQQS vs. IWC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQS

QQQS Risk / Return Rank: 85
QQQS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
QQQS Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QQQS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
QQQS Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
QQQS Martin Ratio Rank: 88

IWC

IWC Risk / Return Rank: 71
IWC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IWC Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
IWC Omega Ratio Rank: 59
IWC Calmar Ratio Rank: 83
IWC Martin Ratio Rank: 76

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.

QQQS vs. IWC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC). 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.

	QQQS	IWC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.00	2.36	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.78	3.10	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.37	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.90	4.47	+1.44
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	19.70	14.76	+4.93
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQS vs. IWC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQS Sharpe Ratio is 3.00, which is comparable to the IWC Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQS and IWC, 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

	QQQS	IWC	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.00	2.36	+0.65
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.22	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.47	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.63	0.31	+0.31

Drawdowns

QQQS vs. IWC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQS drawdown since its inception was -38.06%, smaller than the maximum IWC drawdown of -64.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQS and IWC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQS	IWC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.06%	-64.61%	+26.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.63%	-12.43%	-1.20%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.32%	-29.46%	-4.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-40.68%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-47.21%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.55%	-2.90%	+0.35%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.26%	-15.28%	+2.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.07%	3.75%	+0.32%

Volatility

QQQS vs. IWC - Volatility Comparison

Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) and iShares Micro-Cap ETF (IWC) have volatilities of 7.39% and 7.29%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQS	IWC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.39%	7.29%	+0.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.49%	17.26%	+1.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.90%	23.63%	+3.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.34%	24.42%	+3.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.34%	24.42%	+3.92%

QQQS vs. IWC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than IWC's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQS vs. IWC - Dividend Comparison

QQQS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.73%, more than IWC's 0.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IWC iShares Micro-Cap ETF	0.91%	1.10%	1.06%	1.17%	1.18%	0.78%	0.98%	1.19%	1.01%	1.09%	1.16%	1.49%
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	2.73%	3.48%	0.80%	0.68%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQS and IWC in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, QQQS and IWC move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QQQS or IWC?

QQQS has higher volatility (7.39%) compared to IWC (7.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQS dropped -38.06% vs IWC's -64.61%.

Which ETF is better, QQQS or IWC?

On 3-year performance, IWC leads with 21.73% vs 15.89% for QQQS. On fees, QQQS is cheaper at 0.20% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQS or IWC?

Over the 3-year period, IWC has performed better with a 21.73% return vs 15.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQS or IWC?

QQQS is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for IWC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQS or IWC?

QQQS has the higher dividend yield at 2.73%, compared with 0.91% for IWC.

What is the main difference between QQQS and IWC?

QQQS tracks Nasdaq Innovators Completion Cap Total Return Index, while IWC tracks Russell Microcap Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QQQS and 0.60% for IWC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.00 vs 2.36), 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.