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STE vs. QQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

STE vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

STE (STERIS plc) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, STE returned 13.41%/yr vs 22.01%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.44 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

STE vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STERIS plc (STE) 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, STE achieves a -17.83% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 15.95% return. Over the past 10 years, STE has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 13.41%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.01% annualized return.

STE

1D
1.95%
1M
-4.06%
YTD
-17.83%
6M
-18.53%
1Y
-12.61%
3Y*
0.42%
5Y*
0.99%
10Y*
13.41%

QQQ

1D
-0.42%
1M
-0.86%
YTD
15.95%
6M
14.16%
1Y
32.28%
3Y*
25.87%
5Y*
15.94%
10Y*
22.01%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

STE vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
STE
STERIS plc		-17.83%24.57%-5.60%20.19%-23.43%29.47%25.50%44.09%23.66%31.73%
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		15.95%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between STE and QQQ is 0.13, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.13

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

0.25

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

0.40

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

0.45

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999

0.44

Over the past year, the correlation between STE and QQQ has dropped to 0.13 - well below their long-term average of 0.44, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

STERIS plc

Invesco QQQ ETF

Often compared with STE:
STE vs. SPHSTE vs. BSXSTE vs. BRKRSTE vs. ^SP500TRSTE vs. DHRSTE vs. SPYSTE vs. SRE
Often compared with QQQ:
QQQ vs. SPYQQQ vs. VOOQQQ vs. VGTQQQ vs. TQQQQQQ vs. SMHQQQ vs. QQQMQQQ vs. SPMO

Return for Risk

STE vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
STE
STE Risk / Return Rank: 2020
Overall Rank
STE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2020
Sharpe Ratio Rank
STE Sortino Ratio Rank: 1919
Sortino Ratio Rank
STE Omega Ratio Rank: 1919
Omega Ratio Rank
STE Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
STE Martin Ratio Rank: 1919
Martin Ratio Rank
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 5959
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6060
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 6161
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.

STE vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STERIS plc (STE) 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.

STEQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-0.52
1.81

-2.34

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-0.61
2.41

-3.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.92

1.32

-0.40

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.50

2.71

-3.21

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-1.11

10.01

-11.12

STE vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STE Sharpe Ratio is -0.52, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STE 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

STE vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STE drawdown since its inception was -77.22%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STE and QQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

STEQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-77.22%

-82.97%

+5.75%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-25.37%

-11.96%

-13.41%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-25.37%

-22.77%

-2.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-36.18%

-35.12%

-1.06%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-36.18%

-35.12%

-1.06%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-22.46%

-4.66%

-17.80%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-18.32%

-32.72%

+14.40%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

11.40%

3.23%

+8.17%

Volatility

STE vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for STERIS plc (STE) is 6.22%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that STE 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

STEQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

6.22%

9.17%

-2.95%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

18.60%

14.54%

+4.06%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

24.21%

17.95%

+6.26%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

25.87%

22.69%

+3.18%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.00%

22.41%

+2.59%

Dividends

STE vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

STE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.22%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.43%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%
STE
STERIS plc		1.22%0.95%1.06%0.90%0.97%0.68%0.81%0.93%1.22%1.35%1.57%1.27%

Frequently Asked Questions

STE and QQQ have a correlation of 0.13, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to STE (6.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STE dropped -77.22% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs -0.52), 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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