SWYDX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

SWYDX (Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - SWYDX 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 5 years, SWYDX returned 5.78%/yr vs 16.94%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWYDX charges 0.04%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund (SWYDX) 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, SWYDX achieves a 5.86% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.41% return.

SWYDX

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 0.99%
• YTD: 5.86%
• 6M: 5.73%
• 1Y: 14.58%
• 3Y*: 11.04%
• 5Y*: 5.78%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: 2.96%
• YTD: 20.41%
• 6M: 19.46%
• 1Y: 40.91%
• 3Y*: 27.47%
• 5Y*: 16.94%
• 10Y*: 22.48%

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

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SWYDX Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund	5.86%	12.60%	8.62%	14.47%	-14.78%	10.24%	12.37%	18.89%	-6.38%	14.53%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SWYDX and QQQ is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 30, 2016	0.83

The correlation between SWYDX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.83 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

SWYDX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SWYDX

SWYDX Risk / Return Rank: 70
SWYDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
SWYDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
SWYDX Omega Ratio Rank: 71
SWYDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SWYDX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 72
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 72
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
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.

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund (SWYDX) 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.

	SWYDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.23	2.33	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.21	3.03	+0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.41	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.93	3.44	-0.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.00	12.79	+0.21

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SWYDX Sharpe Ratio is 2.23, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SWYDX 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.

Drawdowns

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SWYDX drawdown since its inception was -20.49%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWYDX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SWYDX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.49%	-82.97%	+62.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.94%	-11.96%	+7.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.56%	-22.77%	+15.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.43%	-35.12%	+14.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.25%	-0.99%	+0.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.41%	-32.73%	+29.32%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.11%	3.21%	-2.10%

Volatility

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund (SWYDX) is 2.64%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that SWYDX 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

	SWYDX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.64%	8.47%	-5.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.39%	14.20%	-8.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.51%	17.67%	-11.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.24%	22.64%	-13.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.83%	22.43%	-12.60%

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SWYDX has a 0.04% 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

SWYDX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SWYDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.07%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
SWYDX Schwab Target 2025 Index Fund	5.07%	5.37%	3.41%	2.58%	2.32%	1.92%	1.79%	1.91%	0.00%	1.33%	0.79%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SWYDX and QQQ in my portfolio?

SWYDX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SWYDX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to SWYDX (2.64%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWYDX dropped -20.49% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 2.23), 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.