SEMI vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SEMI (Columbia Select Technology ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEMI is a Semiconductors fund actively managed by Columbia, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. SEMI is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, SEMI returned 30.48%/yr vs 28.89%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SEMI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SEMI vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) 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, SEMI achieves a 32.72% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 21.62% return.

SEMI

• 1D: 1.77%
• 1M: 16.66%
• YTD: 32.72%
• 6M: 31.75%
• 1Y: 67.04%
• 3Y*: 30.48%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

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

SEMI vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	32.72%	24.91%	15.87%	45.37%	-21.87%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-27.02%

Correlation

The correlation between SEMI and QQQ is 0.92, 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	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 31, 2022	0.88

The correlation between SEMI and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

SEMI vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SEMI	QQQ
Technology	82.3%	53.8%
Communication Services	9.5%	15.8%
Financial Services	4.4%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.9%	12.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

SEMI vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEMI

SEMI Risk / Return Rank: 84
SEMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
SEMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
SEMI Omega Ratio Rank: 80
SEMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 86
SEMI Martin Ratio Rank: 85

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SEMI vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) 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.

	SEMI	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	2.73	+0.32
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	3.55	+0.14
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.49	1.47	+0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.77	3.71	+1.06
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	17.95	14.30	+3.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SEMI vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEMI Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEMI 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

	SEMI	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	2.73	+0.32
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.41	+0.24

Drawdowns

SEMI vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEMI drawdown since its inception was -32.93%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEMI and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEMI	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.93%	-82.97%	+50.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.41%	-11.96%	-2.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-32.93%	-22.77%	-10.16%
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%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.29%	-32.79%	+23.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.83%	3.11%	+0.72%

Volatility

SEMI vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Select Technology ETF (SEMI) has a higher volatility of 6.81% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.48%. This indicates that SEMI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEMI	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.81%	4.48%	+2.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.41%	12.11%	+5.30%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.14%	15.95%	+6.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.59%	22.39%	+9.20%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.59%	22.30%	+9.29%

SEMI vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEMI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEMI vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SEMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.38%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

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%
SEMI Columbia Select Technology ETF	3.38%	4.48%	0.96%	0.87%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEMI and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, SEMI 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, SEMI or QQQ?

SEMI has higher volatility (6.81%) compared to QQQ (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEMI dropped -32.93% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, SEMI or QQQ?

On 3-year performance, SEMI leads with 30.48% vs 28.89% for QQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEMI or QQQ?

Over the 3-year period, SEMI has performed better with a 30.48% return vs 28.89%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEMI or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SEMI.

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

SEMI has the higher dividend yield at 3.38%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between SEMI and QQQ?

SEMI is categorized as Semiconductors, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SEMI and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.73), 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.