SEIX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SEIX (Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEIX is a Bank Loan fund tracking the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SEIX returned 5.75%/yr vs 16.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEIX charges 0.57%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SEIX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) 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, SEIX achieves a 2.33% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.41% return.

SEIX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.28%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.49%
• 1Y: 6.06%
• 3Y*: 7.76%
• 5Y*: 5.75%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 40.91%
• 3Y*: 27.47%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 22.48%

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

SEIX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	2.33%	5.10%	8.42%	12.51%	-1.77%	5.49%	3.17%	3.44%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	12.79%

Correlation

The correlation between SEIX and QQQ is 0.47, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.47
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.34
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 25, 2019	0.19

Over the past year, SEIX and QQQ have become more correlated (0.47) than their long-term average of 0.19, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

SEIX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEIX

SEIX Risk / Return Rank: 94
SEIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
SEIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Omega Ratio Rank: 97
SEIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
SEIX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
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.

SEIX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) 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.

	SEIX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.81	2.33	+1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	6.19	3.03	+3.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.87	1.41	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.39	3.44	+1.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.55	12.79	+8.76

SEIX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEIX Sharpe Ratio is 3.81, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEIX 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

SEIX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEIX drawdown since its inception was -17.51%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEIX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEIX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.51%	-82.97%	+65.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.13%	-11.96%	+10.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-3.01%	-22.77%	+19.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-6.69%	-35.12%	+28.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.99%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.87%	-32.73%	+31.86%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.28%	3.21%	-2.93%

Volatility

SEIX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF (SEIX) is 0.33%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that SEIX 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

	SEIX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.33%	8.47%	-8.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.29%	14.20%	-12.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.60%	17.67%	-16.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	2.92%	22.64%	-19.72%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.32%	22.43%	-18.11%

SEIX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEIX has a 0.57% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEIX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SEIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.25%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
SEIX Virtus Seix Senior Loan ETF	7.25%	7.52%	8.09%	8.74%	5.76%	4.16%	3.75%	3.82%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEIX and QQQ in my portfolio?

SEIX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.47, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEIX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to SEIX (0.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEIX dropped -17.51% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, SEIX or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 16.94% vs 5.75% for SEIX. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SEIX has been the lower-risk option at 0.33%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEIX or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 16.94% return vs 5.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEIX or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.57% for SEIX.

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

SEIX has the higher dividend yield at 7.25%, compared with 0.49% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between SEIX and QQQ?

SEIX is categorized as Bank Loan, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. SEIX tracks Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.57% for SEIX and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.81 vs 2.33), 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.