SPBC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPBC (Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPBC is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Simplify, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. SPBC is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, SPBC returned 15.96%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SPBC charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SPBC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF (SPBC) 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, SPBC achieves a 7.71% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

SPBC

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 3.04%
• YTD: 7.71%
• 6M: 7.18%
• 1Y: 21.45%
• 3Y*: 28.29%
• 5Y*: 15.96%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

SPBC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
SPBC Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF	7.71%	16.83%	37.32%	48.04%	-28.00%	14.87%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	19.91%

Correlation

The correlation between SPBC and QQQ is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 26, 2021	0.87

The correlation between SPBC and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

SPBC vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPBC	QQQ
Technology	35.6%	53.8%
Financial Services	11.8%	0.2%
Communication Services	11.2%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	12.3%
Healthcare	8.5%	4.2%
Industrials	8.3%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.7%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.4%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

SPBC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPBC

SPBC Risk / Return Rank: 40
SPBC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
SPBC Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
SPBC Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SPBC Calmar Ratio Rank: 35
SPBC Martin Ratio Rank: 40

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
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.

SPBC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF (SPBC) 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.

	SPBC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.64	-1.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.08	3.45	-1.37
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.45	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.76	3.51	-1.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.38	13.49	-7.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPBC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPBC Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPBC 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

	SPBC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.64	-1.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79	0.81	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.79	0.41	+0.38

Drawdowns

SPBC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPBC drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPBC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPBC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-82.97%	+48.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.24%	-11.96%	-0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.00%	-22.77%	+1.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.99%	-35.12%	+1.13%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	-0.26%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.64%	-32.79%	+24.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.37%	3.11%	+0.26%

Volatility

SPBC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF (SPBC) is 3.38%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that SPBC 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

	SPBC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.38%	4.49%	-1.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.92%	12.10%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.49%	15.94%	-1.45%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.43%	22.38%	-1.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.39%	22.29%	-1.90%

SPBC vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPBC has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPBC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SPBC's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.83%, 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%
SPBC Simplify US Equity PLUS GBTC ETF	0.83%	0.85%	0.98%	3.79%	0.60%	1.41%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPBC and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, SPBC 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, SPBC or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to SPBC (3.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPBC dropped -33.99% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, SPBC or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 17.97% vs 15.96% for SPBC. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SPBC has been the lower-risk option at 3.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPBC or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 17.97% return vs 15.96%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPBC or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for SPBC.

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

SPBC has the higher dividend yield at 0.83%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between SPBC and QQQ?

SPBC is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Simplify and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for SPBC and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.49), 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.