QQQS vs. VUG

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

QQQS (Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF) and VUG (Vanguard Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQS is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq Innovators Completion Cap Total Return Index, while VUG is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QQQS returned 14.73%/yr vs 21.19%/yr for VUG. Their 0.65 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. QQQS charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VUG.

Performance

QQQS vs. VUG - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQS achieves a 22.53% return, which is significantly higher than VUG's 5.02% return.

QQQS

• 1D: -1.74%
• 1M: -5.51%
• 6M: 18.80%
• YTD: 22.53%
• 1Y: 58.92%
• 3Y*: 14.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 17.01%

VUG

• 1D: 1.10%
• 1M: -0.35%
• 6M: 6.39%
• YTD: 5.02%
• 1Y: 15.36%
• 3Y*: 21.19%
• 5Y*: 12.16%
• 10Y*: 17.38%
• ALL TIME*: 12.08%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	$275.26K	$351.10K	$376.36K
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	$556.11M	$661.72M	$650.91M

QQQS vs. VUG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	22.53%	23.03%	10.20%	-1.94%	11.47%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	5.02%	19.40%	32.69%	46.83%	1.43%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQS and VUG is 0.69, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2022	0.65

The correlation between QQQS and VUG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.63 to 0.69 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQS vs. VUG - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQS	VUG
Healthcare	57.1%	4.7%
Technology	26.0%	56.2%
Industrials	6.0%	5.3%
Consumer Cyclical	5.7%	11.5%
Communication Services	2.9%	15.4%
Consumer Defensive	1.4%	1.4%
Basic Materials	0.5%	0.5%
Energy	0.4%	0.3%
Financial Services	0.1%	3.8%
Real Estate	-	1.0%
Utilities	-	0.7%

Return for Risk

QQQS vs. VUG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

QQQS

QQQS Risk / Return Rank: 85
QQQS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
QQQS Sortino Ratio Rank: 83
QQQS Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQS Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
QQQS Martin Ratio Rank: 87

VUG

VUG Risk / Return Rank: 28
VUG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VUG Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VUG Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VUG Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VUG Martin Ratio Rank: 29

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

QQQS vs. VUG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) and Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG). 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.

	QQQS	VUG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.05	0.72	+1.32
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.74	1.10	+1.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.13	+0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.10	0.78	+3.33
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.89	2.47	+10.42

QQQS vs. VUG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQS Sharpe Ratio is 2.05, which is higher than the VUG Sharpe Ratio of 0.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQS and VUG, 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

QQQS vs. VUG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQS drawdown since its inception was -38.06%, smaller than the maximum VUG drawdown of -50.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQS and VUG.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQS	VUG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.06%	-50.68%	+12.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.63%	-16.53%	+2.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.32%	-22.85%	-11.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.61%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.36%	-5.53%	-0.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.87%	-7.08%	-5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.33%	5.20%	-0.87%

Volatility

QQQS vs. VUG - Volatility Comparison

Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF (QQQS) has a higher volatility of 6.09% compared to Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) at 5.58%. This indicates that QQQS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VUG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQS	VUG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.09%	5.58%	+0.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.29%	14.24%	+6.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.33%	17.74%	+9.59%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.41%	22.49%	+5.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.41%	21.55%	+6.86%

QQQS vs. VUG - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQS has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than VUG's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

QQQS vs. VUG - Dividend Comparison

QQQS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.69%, more than VUG's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQS Invesco NASDAQ Future Gen 200 ETF	2.69%	3.48%	0.80%	0.68%	0.04%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VUG Vanguard Growth ETF	0.40%	0.41%	0.47%	0.58%	0.70%	0.48%	0.66%	0.95%	1.32%	1.14%	1.39%	1.30%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQS and VUG in my portfolio?

QQQS and VUG have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQS or VUG?

QQQS has higher volatility (6.09%) compared to VUG (5.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQS dropped -38.06% vs VUG's -50.68%.

Which ETF is better, QQQS or VUG?

On 3-year performance, VUG leads with 21.19% vs 14.73% for QQQS. On fees, VUG is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VUG has been the lower-risk option at 5.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQS or VUG?

Over the 3-year period, VUG has performed better with a 21.19% return vs 14.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQS or VUG?

VUG is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for QQQS.

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

QQQS has the higher dividend yield at 2.69%, compared with 0.40% for VUG.

What is the main difference between QQQS and VUG?

QQQS is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while VUG is Large Cap Growth Equities. QQQS tracks Nasdaq Innovators Completion Cap Total Return Index, while VUG tracks CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for QQQS and 0.03% for VUG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.05 vs 0.72), 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.