RSPC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RSPC (Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RSPC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services Plus Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, RSPC returned -0.76%/yr vs 16.01%/yr for QQQ. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RSPC charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

RSPC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF (RSPC) 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, RSPC achieves a -10.64% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return.

RSPC

• 1D: 0.77%
• 1M: -5.33%
• YTD: -10.64%
• 6M: -10.20%
• 1Y: -2.95%
• 3Y*: 10.22%
• 5Y*: -0.76%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -3.29%
• 1M: -0.43%
• YTD: 16.45%
• 6M: 14.99%
• 1Y: 34.88%
• 3Y*: 26.05%
• 5Y*: 16.01%
• 10Y*: 22.07%

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

RSPC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
RSPC Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF	-10.64%	18.44%	17.98%	17.92%	-29.00%	14.55%	22.14%	21.35%	-11.38%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.45%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-7.07%

Correlation

The correlation between RSPC and QQQ is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2018	0.66

Over the past year, the correlation between RSPC and QQQ has dropped to 0.33 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RSPC vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RSPC	QQQ
Communication Services	95.2%	14.3%
Technology	4.8%	58.7%
Financial Services	0.0%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Energy	-	0.5%
Healthcare	-	3.7%
Industrials	-	2.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

RSPC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

RSPC

RSPC Risk / Return Rank: 7
RSPC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
RSPC Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
RSPC Omega Ratio Rank: 6
RSPC Calmar Ratio Rank: 7
RSPC Martin Ratio Rank: 7

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

RSPC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF (RSPC) 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.

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.

	RSPC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	1.95	-2.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.21	2.57	-2.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.98	1.35	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.21	2.93	-3.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.50	10.86	-11.37

RSPC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RSPC Sharpe Ratio is -0.21, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RSPC 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.

Drawdowns

RSPC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RSPC drawdown since its inception was -38.03%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RSPC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	RSPC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.03%	-82.97%	+44.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.05%	-11.96%	-2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.06%	-22.77%	+8.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.96%	-35.12%	-2.84%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.39%	-4.25%	-9.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.69%	-32.73%	+20.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.85%	3.22%	+2.63%

Volatility

RSPC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF (RSPC) is 4.67%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that RSPC 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

	RSPC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.67%	9.17%	-4.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.78%	14.57%	-4.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.86%	17.96%	-4.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.61%	22.69%	-4.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.74%	22.42%	-1.68%

RSPC vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

RSPC has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

RSPC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

RSPC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.84%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.43%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
RSPC Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services ETF	1.84%	1.66%	1.03%	0.98%	1.45%	1.10%	1.05%	0.90%	0.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RSPC and QQQ in my portfolio?

RSPC and QQQ have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RSPC or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to RSPC (4.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RSPC dropped -38.03% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, RSPC or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 16.01% vs -0.76% for RSPC. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, RSPC has been the lower-risk option at 4.67%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RSPC or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 16.01% return vs -0.76%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RSPC or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for RSPC.

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

RSPC has the higher dividend yield at 1.84%, compared with 0.43% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between RSPC and QQQ?

RSPC is categorized as Communications Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. RSPC tracks S&P 500 Equal Weight Communication Services Plus Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for RSPC and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs -0.21), 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.