SPHD vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SPHD (Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SPHD is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SPHD returned 7.08%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SPHD charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SPHD vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) 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, SPHD achieves a 4.38% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, SPHD has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 7.08%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

SPHD

• 1D: -0.89%
• 1M: -0.82%
• YTD: 4.38%
• 6M: 4.63%
• 1Y: 8.12%
• 3Y*: 11.42%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 7.08%

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)

SPHD vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SPHD Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF	4.38%	3.41%	18.08%	1.32%	0.58%	24.98%	-9.98%	20.26%	-6.17%	11.90%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SPHD and QQQ is 0.07, 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	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 31, 2012	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between SPHD and QQQ has dropped to 0.07 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

SPHD vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SPHD	QQQ
Real Estate	20.1%	0.1%
Consumer Defensive	17.8%	7.7%
Financial Services	15.6%	0.2%
Energy	14.1%	0.6%
Utilities	13.7%	1.4%
Communication Services	8.6%	15.8%
Healthcare	5.1%	4.2%
Consumer Cyclical	3.4%	12.3%
Technology	1.5%	53.8%
Industrials	0.0%	2.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%

Return for Risk

SPHD vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SPHD

SPHD Risk / Return Rank: 21
SPHD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
SPHD Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
SPHD Omega Ratio Rank: 19
SPHD Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
SPHD Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

SPHD vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) 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.

	SPHD	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.74	2.64	-1.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	3.45	-2.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.45	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.51	-2.40
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.78	13.49	-10.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SPHD vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SPHD Sharpe Ratio is 0.74, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SPHD 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

	SPHD	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.74	2.64	-1.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.81	-0.42
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	0.99	-0.58
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.41	+0.17

Drawdowns

SPHD vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SPHD drawdown since its inception was -41.39%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SPHD and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SPHD	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.39%	-82.97%	+41.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.33%	-11.96%	+4.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.29%	-22.77%	+9.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.50%	-35.12%	+15.62%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.39%	-35.12%	-6.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.37%	-0.26%	-5.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.70%	-32.79%	+28.09%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	3.11%	-0.18%

Volatility

SPHD vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD) is 2.99%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that SPHD 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

	SPHD	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.99%	4.49%	-1.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.55%	12.10%	-4.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.04%	15.94%	-4.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.16%	22.38%	-8.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.64%	22.29%	-4.65%

SPHD vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SPHD has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SPHD vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SPHD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.62%, 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%
SPHD Invesco S&P 500® High Dividend Low Volatility ETF	4.62%	4.02%	3.41%	4.48%	3.89%	3.45%	4.89%	4.07%	4.40%	3.14%	3.83%	3.49%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SPHD and QQQ in my portfolio?

SPHD and QQQ have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SPHD or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to SPHD (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SPHD dropped -41.39% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, SPHD or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 7.08% for SPHD. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, SPHD has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SPHD or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 7.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SPHD or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for SPHD.

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

SPHD has the higher dividend yield at 4.62%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between SPHD and QQQ?

SPHD is categorized as Dividend, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. SPHD tracks S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for SPHD and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.74), 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.