T vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 2.86%/yr vs 21.59%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.33 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

T vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AT&T Inc. (T) 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, T achieves a -7.40% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.71% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 2.86%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.59% annualized return.

T

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: -10.57%
• YTD: -7.40%
• 6M: -7.40%
• 1Y: -16.38%
• 3Y*: 18.39%
• 5Y*: 6.60%
• 10Y*: 2.86%

QQQ

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 16.71%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 35.78%
• 3Y*: 27.15%
• 5Y*: 16.98%
• 10Y*: 21.59%

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

T vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
T AT&T Inc.	-7.40%	13.97%	44.08%	-2.74%	5.76%	-8.09%	-21.37%	45.55%	-22.25%	-4.01%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between T and QQQ is -0.21, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 10, 1999	0.33

The correlation between T and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.21 (1 year) to 0.33 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

T vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

T

T Risk / Return Rank: 11
T Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
T Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
T Omega Ratio Rank: 13
T Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
T Martin Ratio Rank: 4

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

T vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) 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.

	T	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.75	2.15	-2.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.98	2.77	-3.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.89	1.38	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.75	3.00	-3.76
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.59	11.43	-13.02
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

T vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current T Sharpe Ratio is -0.75, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of T 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

	T	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.75	2.15	-2.90
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.76	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.12	0.97	-0.85
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.40	-0.03

Drawdowns

T vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	T	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-64.15%	-82.97%	+18.82%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.87%	-11.96%	-9.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.87%	-22.77%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.01%	-35.12%	+3.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-35.12%	-7.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.87%	-4.03%	-17.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.72%	-32.77%	+17.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.34%	3.14%	+7.20%

Volatility

T vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 7.50% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 6.84%. This indicates that T'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

	T	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.50%	6.84%	+0.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.57%	13.20%	+4.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.98%	16.74%	+5.24%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.97%	22.49%	+1.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.71%	22.36%	+1.35%

Dividends

T vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.39%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
T AT&T Inc.	4.93%	4.47%	4.87%	6.62%	6.66%	8.46%	7.23%	5.22%	7.01%	5.04%	4.51%	5.46%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both T and QQQ in my portfolio?

T and QQQ have a correlation of -0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, T or QQQ?

T has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to QQQ (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs -0.75), 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.