PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
SCZ vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SCZ vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

SCZ (iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SCZ is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SCZ returned 8.64%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SCZ charges 0.40%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SCZ vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SCZ achieves a 9.70% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, SCZ has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 8.64%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.

SCZ

1D
0.47%
1M
1.01%
YTD
9.70%
6M
11.43%
1Y
23.50%
3Y*
15.38%
5Y*
4.99%
10Y*
8.64%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
1.75%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
37.55%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SCZ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SCZ
iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF		9.70%32.08%1.52%12.98%-21.27%10.12%11.71%24.68%-17.64%32.72%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SCZ and QQQ is 0.62, 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

0.62

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.58

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.65

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.66

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2007

0.68

The correlation between SCZ and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (3 years) to 0.68 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SCZ vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SCZ
QQQ

Industrials

24.2%
2.6%

Financial Services

12.5%
0.2%

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%
11.4%

Technology

10.8%
58.7%

Basic Materials

10.2%
1.0%

Real Estate

9.9%
0.1%

Healthcare

5.9%
3.7%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
6.4%

Communication Services

3.8%
14.3%

Energy

3.5%
0.5%

Utilities

2.2%
1.2%

Industrials

SCZ
24.2%
QQQ
2.6%

Financial Services

SCZ
12.5%
QQQ
0.2%

Consumer Cyclical

SCZ
12.3%
QQQ
11.4%

Technology

SCZ
10.8%
QQQ
58.7%

Basic Materials

SCZ
10.2%
QQQ
1.0%

Real Estate

SCZ
9.9%
QQQ
0.1%

Healthcare

SCZ
5.9%
QQQ
3.7%

Consumer Defensive

SCZ
4.7%
QQQ
6.4%

Communication Services

SCZ
3.8%
QQQ
14.3%

Energy

SCZ
3.5%
QQQ
0.5%

Utilities

SCZ
2.2%
QQQ
1.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with SCZ:
SCZ vs. VSSSCZ vs. AVDVSCZ vs. IWMSCZ vs. IEFASCZ vs. VPLSCZ vs. IDEVSCZ vs. ISCF
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

SCZ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SCZ
SCZ Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
SCZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SCZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5050
Sortino Ratio Rank
SCZ Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
SCZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 4444
Calmar Ratio Rank
SCZ Martin Ratio Rank: 4949
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SCZ vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) 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.

SCZQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.49
2.09

-0.60

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.14
2.73

-0.59

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.37

-0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.95

3.01

-1.06

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.36

11.22

-3.87

SCZ vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SCZ Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SCZ 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.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

SCZ vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SCZ drawdown since its inception was -61.86%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SCZ and QQQ.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

SCZQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-61.86%

-82.97%

+21.11%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.43%

-11.96%

+0.53%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.06%

-22.77%

+7.71%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.87%

-35.12%

-1.75%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.07%

-35.12%

-5.95%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.66%

-3.33%

+1.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.05%

-32.75%

+19.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.02%

3.20%

-0.18%

Volatility

SCZ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF (SCZ) is 5.27%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that SCZ 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.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

SCZQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.27%

7.56%

-2.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.52%

13.81%

-1.29%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.93%

17.19%

-2.26%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.81%

22.55%

-5.74%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.43%

22.38%

-4.95%

SCZ vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SCZ vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SCZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.01%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%
SCZ
iShares MSCI EAFE Small-Cap ETF		3.01%3.30%3.50%2.96%1.99%2.96%1.52%3.52%2.79%2.38%2.82%2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

SCZ and QQQ have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (7.56%) compared to SCZ (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SCZ dropped -61.86% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 8.64% for SCZ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SCZ has been the lower-risk option at 5.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.79% return vs 8.64%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

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

SCZ has the higher dividend yield at 3.01%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

SCZ is categorized as Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. SCZ tracks MSCI EAFE Small Cap Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.40% for SCZ and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.49), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for SCZ and QQQ

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer