QQQT vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QQQT (Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both Nasdaq-100 funds. QQQT is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past year, QQQT returned 35.65% vs 43.30% for QQQ. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QQQT charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QQQT vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQT achieves a 19.80% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return.

QQQT

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 10.10%
• YTD: 19.80%
• 6M: 18.06%
• 1Y: 35.65%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

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

QQQT vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.80%	14.04%	4.51%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	6.96%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQT and QQQ is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 24, 2024	0.98

The correlation between QQQT and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQT vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQT	QQQ
Financial Services	99.8%	0.2%
Technology	54.2%	53.8%
Communication Services	15.5%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	7.7%
Healthcare	4.2%	4.2%
Industrials	2.8%	2.8%
Utilities	1.4%	1.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.1%
Energy	0.6%	0.6%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QQQT vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQT

QQQT Risk / Return Rank: 67
QQQT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQT Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QQQT Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQT Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QQQT Martin Ratio Rank: 56

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

QQQT vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	QQQT	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.45	2.73	-0.28
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.29	3.55	-0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.47	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.87	3.71	-0.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.08	14.30	-4.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QQQT vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQT Sharpe Ratio is 2.45, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQT and QQQ, 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

	QQQT	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.45	2.73	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.00	0.41	+0.59

Drawdowns

QQQT vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQT drawdown since its inception was -22.50%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQT and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQT	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.50%	-82.97%	+60.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.73%	-11.96%	-0.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.02%	-32.79%	+28.77%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.62%	3.11%	+0.51%

Volatility

QQQT vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF (QQQT) is 4.01%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that QQQT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQQT	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.01%	4.48%	-0.47%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.20%	12.11%	-0.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.62%	15.95%	-1.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.26%	22.39%	-2.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.26%	22.30%	-2.04%

QQQT vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQT has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQT vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QQQT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.10%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
QQQT Defiance Nasdaq 100 Income Target ETF	19.10%	21.27%	10.35%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQQT and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, QQQT and QQQ 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, QQQT or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to QQQT (4.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQT dropped -22.50% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, QQQT or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 43.30% vs 35.65% for QQQT. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQT has been the lower-risk option at 4.01%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQT or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 43.30% return vs 35.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQT or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.05% for QQQT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQQT or QQQ?

QQQT has the higher dividend yield at 19.10%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between QQQT and QQQ?

They also come from different issuers: Defiance and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.05% for QQQT and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.45), 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.