TEC vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TEC (Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TEC is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Harbor, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. TEC is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past year, TEC returned 41.52% vs 41.82% for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.95 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TEC charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

TEC vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF (TEC) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with TEC having a 20.38% return and QQQ slightly higher at 21.30%.

TEC

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 11.87%
• YTD: 20.38%
• 6M: 18.30%
• 1Y: 41.52%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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)

TEC vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
TEC Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF	20.38%	44.91%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	38.82%

Correlation

The correlation between TEC and QQQ is 0.94, 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	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 21, 2025	0.95

The correlation between TEC and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

TEC vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TEC	QQQ
Technology	69.5%	53.8%
Communication Services	13.5%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	12.3%
Healthcare	4.2%	4.2%
Utilities	1.5%	1.4%
Financial Services	1.1%	0.2%
Industrials	1.0%	2.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

TEC vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TEC

TEC Risk / Return Rank: 55
TEC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
TEC Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
TEC Omega Ratio Rank: 58
TEC Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
TEC Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

TEC vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF (TEC) 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.

	TEC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.64	-0.56
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	3.45	-0.74
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.45	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.38	3.51	-1.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	7.40	13.49	-6.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TEC vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TEC Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TEC 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

	TEC	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	2.64	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	3.08	0.41	+2.67

Drawdowns

TEC vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TEC drawdown since its inception was -17.50%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TEC and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TEC	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.50%	-82.97%	+65.47%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.50%	-11.96%	-5.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.25%	-0.26%	-0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.46%	-32.79%	+29.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.62%	3.11%	+2.51%

Volatility

TEC vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF (TEC) has a higher volatility of 5.28% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that TEC'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

	TEC	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.28%	4.49%	+0.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.48%	12.10%	+3.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.11%	15.94%	+4.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.95%	22.38%	-1.43%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.95%	22.29%	-1.34%

TEC vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TEC has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

TEC vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

TEC has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

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%
TEC Harbor Transformative Technologies ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TEC and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TEC and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TEC or QQQ?

TEC has higher volatility (5.28%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TEC dropped -17.50% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, TEC or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 41.82% vs 41.52% for TEC. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TEC or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 41.82% return vs 41.52%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TEC or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for TEC.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TEC or QQQ?

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for TEC.

What is the main difference between TEC and QQQ?

TEC is categorized as Technology Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Harbor and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for TEC and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.08), 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.