SGRNX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SGRNX (Allspring Growth Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - SGRNX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Allspring Global Investments, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, SGRNX returned 15.04%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SGRNX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Growth Fund (SGRNX) 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, SGRNX achieves a 7.48% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, SGRNX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 15.04%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

SGRNX

• 1D: 1.24%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: 7.48%
• 6M: 5.56%
• 1Y: 19.98%
• 3Y*: 21.11%
• 5Y*: 7.86%
• 10Y*: 15.04%

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)

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SGRNX Allspring Growth Fund	7.48%	15.34%	29.43%	34.06%	-36.92%	7.43%	49.20%	37.61%	0.69%	35.24%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SGRNX and QQQ is 0.88, 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	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2001	0.91

The correlation between SGRNX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SGRNX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SGRNX

SGRNX Risk / Return Rank: 14
SGRNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
SGRNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
SGRNX Omega Ratio Rank: 16
SGRNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
SGRNX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Growth Fund (SGRNX) 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.

	SGRNX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.73	-1.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	3.55	-1.89
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.47	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.14	3.71	-2.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.57	14.30	-10.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SGRNX Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SGRNX 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

	SGRNX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	2.73	-1.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.30	0.83	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.62	0.99	-0.37
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.41	+0.01

Drawdowns

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SGRNX drawdown since its inception was -52.68%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SGRNX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SGRNX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-52.68%	-82.97%	+30.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.99%	-11.96%	-7.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-25.66%	-22.77%	-2.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.79%	-35.12%	-14.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.79%	-35.12%	-14.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.63%	-32.79%	+17.16%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.07%	3.11%	+2.96%

Volatility

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Allspring Growth Fund (SGRNX) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 4.68% and 4.48%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	SGRNX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.68%	4.48%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.32%	12.11%	+2.21%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.37%	15.95%	+2.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.87%	22.39%	+3.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.49%	22.30%	+2.19%

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SGRNX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SGRNX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.71%, 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%
SGRNX Allspring Growth Fund	19.71%	21.19%	21.72%	7.14%	4.93%	16.48%	10.02%	9.81%	19.24%	27.01%	18.95%	13.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SGRNX and QQQ in my portfolio?

SGRNX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SGRNX or QQQ?

SGRNX has higher volatility (4.68%) compared to QQQ (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SGRNX dropped -52.68% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 1.16), 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.