SAN vs. QQQ
SAN (Banco Santander, S.A.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, SAN returned 18.07%/yr vs 22.01%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
SAN vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with SAN having a 15.39% return and QQQ slightly higher at 15.95%. Over the past 10 years, SAN has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 18.07%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.01% annualized return.
SAN
- 1D
- -1.69%
- 1M
- 11.05%
- YTD
- 15.39%
- 6M
- 13.93%
- 1Y
- 65.81%
- 3Y*
- 64.86%
- 5Y*
- 31.57%
- 10Y*
- 18.07%
QQQ
- 1D
- -0.42%
- 1M
- -0.86%
- YTD
- 15.95%
- 6M
- 14.16%
- 1Y
- 32.28%
- 3Y*
- 25.87%
- 5Y*
- 15.94%
- 10Y*
- 22.01%
SAN vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAN Banco Santander, S.A. | 15.39% | 164.72% | 14.96% | 46.20% | -6.62% | 10.41% | -21.99% | -2.32% | -28.49% | 32.28% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 15.95% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between SAN and QQQ is 0.51, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999 | 0.46 |
The correlation between SAN and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.37 (3 years) to 0.51 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
SAN vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
SAN
QQQ
SAN vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN) 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.
| SAN | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.20 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.27 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.32 | 1.32 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.26 | 2.71 | +0.55 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.06 | 10.01 | +0.05 |
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Drawdowns
SAN vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SAN drawdown since its inception was -82.94%, roughly equal to the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAN and QQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SAN | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -82.94% | -82.97% | +0.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -20.29% | -11.96% | -8.33% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.29% | -22.77% | +2.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -41.13% | -35.12% | -6.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -73.84% | -35.12% | -38.72% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.48% | -4.66% | +2.18% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -30.63% | -32.72% | +2.09% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.56% | 3.23% | +3.33% |
Volatility
SAN vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
Banco Santander, S.A. (SAN) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 9.60% and 9.17%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| SAN | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.60% | 9.17% | +0.43% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 27.57% | 14.54% | +13.03% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 33.01% | 17.95% | +15.06% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 33.89% | 22.69% | +11.20% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 35.21% | 22.41% | +12.80% |
Dividends
SAN vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
SAN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.09%, 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% |
SAN Banco Santander, S.A. | 2.09% | 2.11% | 4.63% | 3.58% | 3.83% | 2.71% | 0.00% | 6.20% | 5.83% | 4.60% | 3.29% | 7.06% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SAN and QQQ have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SAN has higher volatility (9.60%) compared to QQQ (9.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAN dropped -82.94% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
SAN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.81), 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.
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