QTJA vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QTJA (Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QTJA is a Options Trading fund actively managed by Innovator, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. QTJA is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, QTJA returned 18.11%/yr vs 28.78%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QTJA charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

QTJA vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) 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, QTJA achieves a 10.80% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

QTJA

• 1D: -0.00%
• 1M: 3.65%
• YTD: 10.80%
• 6M: 11.65%
• 1Y: 26.80%
• 3Y*: 18.11%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

QTJA vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	10.80%	18.86%	18.47%	25.56%	-34.58%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-33.22%

Correlation

The correlation between QTJA and QQQ is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.86
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2022	0.92

The correlation between QTJA and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

QTJA vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QTJA	QQQ
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%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

QTJA vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QTJA

QTJA Risk / Return Rank: 74
QTJA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
QTJA Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
QTJA Omega Ratio Rank: 85
QTJA Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
QTJA Martin Ratio Rank: 76

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

QTJA vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) 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.

	QTJA	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.51	2.64	-0.13
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.55	3.45	+0.10
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.45	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	3.51	-0.70
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.80	13.49	+1.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QTJA vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QTJA Sharpe Ratio is 2.51, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QTJA 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

	QTJA	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.51	2.64	-0.13
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.28	0.41	-0.13

Drawdowns

QTJA vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QTJA drawdown since its inception was -36.07%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QTJA and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QTJA	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.07%	-82.97%	+46.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.75%	-11.96%	+2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.73%	-22.77%	+1.04%
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%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.30%	-32.79%	+19.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	3.11%	-1.26%

Volatility

QTJA vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January (QTJA) is 1.58%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that QTJA 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

	QTJA	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.58%	4.49%	-2.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	12.10%	-2.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.73%	15.94%	-5.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.45%	22.38%	-1.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.45%	22.29%	-1.84%

QTJA vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QTJA has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

QTJA vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

QTJA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

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%
QTJA Innovator Growth Accelerated Plus ETF - January	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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 QTJA and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, QTJA 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, QTJA or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to QTJA (1.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QTJA dropped -36.07% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, QTJA or QQQ?

On 3-year performance, QQQ leads with 28.78% vs 18.11% for QTJA. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QTJA has been the lower-risk option at 1.58%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QTJA or QQQ?

Over the 3-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 28.78% return vs 18.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QTJA or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for QTJA.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for QTJA.

What is the main difference between QTJA and QQQ?

QTJA is categorized as Options Trading, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for QTJA and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.51), 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.