SIXL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SIXL (ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SIXL is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund actively managed by Exchange Traded Concepts, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. SIXL is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SIXL returned 3.92%/yr vs 16.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SIXL charges 0.47%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SIXL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) 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, SIXL achieves a 5.54% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.41% return.

SIXL

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: -1.13%
• YTD: 5.54%
• 6M: 3.37%
• 1Y: 6.99%
• 3Y*: 8.78%
• 5Y*: 3.92%
• 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)

SIXL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF	5.54%	-0.61%	14.13%	2.38%	-7.49%	20.00%	18.86%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	40.23%

Correlation

The correlation between SIXL and QQQ is 0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2020	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between SIXL and QQQ has dropped to 0.03 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SIXL vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SIXL	QQQ
Utilities	17.1%	1.2%
Consumer Defensive	16.8%	6.4%
Financial Services	15.1%	0.2%
Healthcare	14.9%	3.7%
Real Estate	13.9%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	6.4%	11.4%
Industrials	6.4%	2.6%
Technology	2.6%	58.7%
Communication Services	2.6%	14.3%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.0%
Energy	2.0%	0.5%

Return for Risk

SIXL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SIXL

SIXL Risk / Return Rank: 21
SIXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SIXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
SIXL Omega Ratio Rank: 19
SIXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SIXL Martin Ratio Rank: 23

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.

SIXL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) 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.

	SIXL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.71	2.33	-1.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.05	3.03	-1.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.41	-0.28
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	3.44	-2.36
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.88	12.79	-9.91

SIXL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SIXL Sharpe Ratio is 0.71, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SIXL 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

SIXL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SIXL drawdown since its inception was -16.08%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SIXL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SIXL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.08%	-82.97%	+66.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.52%	-11.96%	+5.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.65%	-22.77%	+11.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.08%	-35.12%	+19.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.11%	-0.99%	-3.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.56%	-32.73%	+28.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.44%	3.21%	-0.77%

Volatility

SIXL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF (SIXL) is 3.43%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that SIXL 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

	SIXL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.43%	8.47%	-5.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.05%	14.20%	-7.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.88%	17.67%	-7.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.18%	22.64%	-10.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.56%	22.43%	-9.87%

SIXL vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SIXL has a 0.47% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SIXL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SIXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.26%, 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%
SIXL ETC 6 Meridian Low Beta Equity Strategy ETF	2.26%	2.31%	1.28%	1.48%	1.45%	0.67%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SIXL and QQQ in my portfolio?

SIXL and QQQ have a correlation of 0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SIXL or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to SIXL (3.43%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SIXL dropped -16.08% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, SIXL or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 16.94% vs 3.92% for SIXL. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SIXL has been the lower-risk option at 3.43%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SIXL or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 16.94% return vs 3.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SIXL or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.47% for SIXL.

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

SIXL has the higher dividend yield at 2.26%, compared with 0.49% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between SIXL and QQQ?

SIXL is categorized as Mid Cap Blend Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.47% for SIXL and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 0.71), 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.