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SLYG vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SLYG vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SLYG (SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SLYG is a Small Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SLYG returned 11.33%/yr vs 21.79%/yr for QQQ. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SLYG charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SLYG vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SLYG achieves a 20.04% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 17.57% return. Over the past 10 years, SLYG has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.33%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.79% annualized return.

SLYG

1D
0.82%
1M
5.34%
YTD
20.04%
6M
16.26%
1Y
29.84%
3Y*
14.84%
5Y*
6.11%
10Y*
11.33%

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.93%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
35.82%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SLYG vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SLYG
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF		20.04%5.20%9.38%17.27%-21.26%22.42%19.48%20.97%-4.20%14.62%
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 SLYG and QQQ is 0.64, 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

0.64

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

0.63

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

0.71

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

0.68

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 2, 2000

0.74

The correlation between SLYG and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (3 years) to 0.74 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

SLYG vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
SLYG
QQQ

Technology

20.5%
53.8%

Industrials

19.2%
2.8%

Healthcare

14.3%
4.2%

Financial Services

13.6%
0.2%

Consumer Cyclical

10.7%
12.3%

Real Estate

6.2%
0.1%

Energy

4.9%
0.6%

Communication Services

3.0%
15.8%

Consumer Defensive

2.9%
7.7%

Basic Materials

2.7%
1.1%

Utilities

1.9%
1.4%

Technology

SLYG
20.5%
QQQ
53.8%

Industrials

SLYG
19.2%
QQQ
2.8%

Healthcare

SLYG
14.3%
QQQ
4.2%

Financial Services

SLYG
13.6%
QQQ
0.2%

Consumer Cyclical

SLYG
10.7%
QQQ
12.3%

Real Estate

SLYG
6.2%
QQQ
0.1%

Energy

SLYG
4.9%
QQQ
0.6%

Communication Services

SLYG
3.0%
QQQ
15.8%

Consumer Defensive

SLYG
2.9%
QQQ
7.7%

Basic Materials

SLYG
2.7%
QQQ
1.1%

Utilities

SLYG
1.9%
QQQ
1.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with SLYG:
SLYG vs. SLYVSLYG vs. VBKSLYG vs. IWOSLYG vs. IJTSLYG vs. VIOGSLYG vs. IJRSLYG vs. XSMO
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. QQQI

Return for Risk

SLYG vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SLYG
SLYG Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
SLYG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SLYG Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
SLYG Omega Ratio Rank: 5353
Omega Ratio Rank
SLYG Calmar Ratio Rank: 7474
Calmar Ratio Rank
SLYG Martin Ratio Rank: 7171
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.

SLYG vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) 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.

SLYGQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.67
2.09

-0.42

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.46
2.73

-0.27

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.37

-0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.29

3.01

+0.29

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.60

11.22

+0.38

SLYG vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SLYG Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SLYG 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.

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Drawdowns

SLYG vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SLYG drawdown since its inception was -62.92%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SLYG and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

SLYGQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-62.92%

-82.97%

+20.05%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.10%

-11.96%

+2.86%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-27.39%

-22.77%

-4.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-29.18%

-35.12%

+5.94%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-41.86%

-35.12%

-6.74%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-3.33%

+3.33%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.90%

-32.75%

+17.85%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.59%

3.20%

-0.61%

Volatility

SLYG vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF (SLYG) is 5.57%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 7.56%. This indicates that SLYG 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.

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Volatility by Period

SLYGQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.57%

7.56%

-1.99%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.91%

13.81%

-0.90%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.93%

17.19%

+0.74%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.56%

22.55%

-0.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.76%

22.38%

+0.38%

SLYG vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SLYG has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

SLYG vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SLYG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.68%, 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%
SLYG
SPDR S&P 600 Small Cap Growth ETF		0.68%0.86%1.22%1.18%1.18%0.68%0.71%1.08%1.06%4.74%1.13%5.75%

Frequently Asked Questions

SLYG and QQQ have a correlation of 0.64, 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 SLYG (5.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SLYG dropped -62.92% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.79% vs 11.33% for SLYG. On fees, SLYG is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, SLYG has been the lower-risk option at 5.57%. 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 11.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

SLYG is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.

SLYG has the higher dividend yield at 0.68%, compared with 0.39% for QQQ.

SLYG is categorized as Small Cap Growth Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. SLYG tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for SLYG and 0.18% for QQQ.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.67), 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.

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