STM vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

STM (STMicroelectronics N.V.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, STM returned 30.91%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

STM vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM) 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, STM achieves a 208.16% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, STM has outperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 30.91%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively lower 21.94% annualized return.

STM

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 44.59%
• YTD: 208.16%
• 6M: 210.77%
• 1Y: 214.43%
• 3Y*: 22.31%
• 5Y*: 17.48%
• 10Y*: 30.91%

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)

STM vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
STM STMicroelectronics N.V.	208.16%	5.28%	-49.67%	41.66%	-26.76%	32.39%	38.91%	96.34%	-35.65%	94.77%
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 STM and QQQ is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999	0.65

The correlation between STM and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.62 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

STM vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

STM

STM Risk / Return Rank: 94
STM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
STM Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
STM Omega Ratio Rank: 95
STM Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
STM Martin Ratio Rank: 91

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.

STM vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM) 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.

	STM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.12	2.64	+1.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.11	3.45	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.45	+0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.94	3.51	+2.43
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.56	13.49	+0.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

STM vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current STM Sharpe Ratio is 4.12, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of STM 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

	STM	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.12	2.64	+1.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.81	-0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.99	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.41	-0.15

Drawdowns

STM vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum STM drawdown since its inception was -94.40%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for STM and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	STM	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.40%	-82.97%	-11.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.35%	-11.96%	-24.39%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-66.66%	-22.77%	-43.89%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-66.66%	-35.12%	-31.54%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-66.66%	-35.12%	-31.54%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-55.24%	-32.79%	-22.45%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	15.89%	3.11%	+12.78%

Volatility

STM vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM) has a higher volatility of 20.83% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that STM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	STM	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.83%	4.49%	+16.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	38.06%	12.10%	+25.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.37%	15.94%	+36.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.63%	22.38%	+22.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.14%	22.29%	+21.85%

Dividends

STM vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

STM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.45%, 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%
STM STMicroelectronics N.V.	0.45%	1.39%	1.32%	0.48%	0.67%	0.45%	0.50%	0.89%	1.73%	0.98%	2.10%	5.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both STM and QQQ in my portfolio?

STM and QQQ have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, STM or QQQ?

STM has higher volatility (20.83%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, STM dropped -94.40% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

STM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.12 vs 2.64), 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.