SWIRX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

SWIRX (Schwab Target 2035 Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - SWIRX is a Target Retirement Date fund managed by Charles Schwab, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, SWIRX returned 9.40%/yr vs 21.27%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWIRX charges 0.00%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2035 Fund (SWIRX) 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, SWIRX achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, SWIRX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 9.40%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.27% annualized return.

SWIRX

• 1D: 0.40%
• 1M: 1.21%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 8.35%
• 1Y: 19.93%
• 3Y*: 15.27%
• 5Y*: 7.28%
• 10Y*: 9.40%

QQQ

• 1D: -4.80%
• 1M: 1.34%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 35.00%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 16.70%
• 10Y*: 21.27%

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

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWIRX Schwab Target 2035 Fund	7.96%	16.49%	11.73%	17.92%	-17.91%	14.21%	14.05%	21.85%	-8.24%	19.13%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	14.92%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SWIRX and QQQ is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 13, 2008	0.86

The correlation between SWIRX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWIRX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWIRX

SWIRX Risk / Return Rank: 59
SWIRX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
SWIRX Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
SWIRX Omega Ratio Rank: 57
SWIRX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
SWIRX Martin Ratio Rank: 64

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 62
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2035 Fund (SWIRX) 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.

	SWIRX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.20	2.11	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.12	2.72	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.41	1.37	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.73	2.94	-0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.01	11.22	+0.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWIRX Sharpe Ratio is 2.20, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWIRX 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

	SWIRX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.20	2.11	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.54	0.75	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.70	0.95	-0.26
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.55	0.40	+0.15

Drawdowns

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWIRX drawdown since its inception was -41.53%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWIRX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWIRX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.53%	-82.97%	+41.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.27%	-11.96%	+4.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.60%	-22.77%	+11.17%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.70%	-35.12%	+6.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.70%	-35.12%	+6.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.20%	-5.51%	+5.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.08%	-32.78%	+26.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.65%	3.13%	-1.48%

Volatility

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2035 Fund (SWIRX) is 2.69%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.68%. This indicates that SWIRX 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

	SWIRX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.69%	6.68%	-3.99%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.16%	13.12%	-5.96%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	9.02%	16.69%	-7.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.57%	22.47%	-8.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.48%	22.34%	-8.86%

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWIRX has a 0.00% 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

SWIRX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SWIRX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.32%, more than QQQ's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.40%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
SWIRX Schwab Target 2035 Fund	6.32%	6.82%	3.96%	3.42%	7.40%	5.81%	2.87%	6.33%	7.12%	3.37%	5.74%	8.16%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWIRX and QQQ in my portfolio?

SWIRX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWIRX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.68%) compared to SWIRX (2.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWIRX dropped -41.53% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SWIRX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.20 vs 2.11), 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.