TRND vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TRND (Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TRND is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, TRND returned 6.30%/yr vs 16.94%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TRND charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

TRND vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds ETF (TRND) 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, TRND achieves a 10.42% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.41% return.

TRND

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 2.13%
• YTD: 10.42%
• 6M: 9.90%
• 1Y: 22.25%
• 3Y*: 11.97%
• 5Y*: 6.30%
• 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)

TRND vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
TRND Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds ETF	10.42%	6.03%	11.97%	16.48%	-15.37%	12.95%	4.73%	8.58%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	11.96%

Correlation

The correlation between TRND and QQQ is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 6, 2019	0.84

The correlation between TRND and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

TRND vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TRND	QQQ
Technology	34.1%	58.7%
Industrials	12.8%	2.6%
Financial Services	12.4%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	9.8%	11.4%
Communication Services	7.5%	14.3%
Healthcare	7.2%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	6.4%
Energy	3.4%	0.5%
Basic Materials	3.3%	1.0%
Real Estate	2.5%	0.1%
Utilities	2.1%	1.2%

Return for Risk

TRND vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRND

TRND Risk / Return Rank: 59
TRND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
TRND Sortino Ratio Rank: 56
TRND Omega Ratio Rank: 57
TRND Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
TRND Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

TRND vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds ETF (TRND) 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.

	TRND	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.87	2.33	-0.46
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.63	3.03	-0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.34	1.41	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	3.44	-0.64
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	12.79	-1.32

TRND vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRND Sharpe Ratio is 1.87, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRND 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

TRND vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRND drawdown since its inception was -17.88%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRND and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRND	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-17.88%	-82.97%	+65.09%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.00%	-11.96%	+3.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.56%	-22.77%	+13.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.21%	-35.12%	+18.91%
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	-5.19%	-32.73%	+27.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	3.21%	-1.27%

Volatility

TRND vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds ETF (TRND) is 4.71%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that TRND 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

	TRND	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.71%	8.47%	-3.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.79%	14.20%	-4.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.99%	17.67%	-5.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.89%	22.64%	-12.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	11.26%	22.43%	-11.17%

TRND vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRND has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRND vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

TRND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.41%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
TRND Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds ETF	2.10%	2.32%	2.31%	2.51%	1.76%	0.93%	0.60%	0.93%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TRND and QQQ in my portfolio?

TRND and QQQ have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TRND or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to TRND (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRND dropped -17.88% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, TRND or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 16.94% vs 6.30% for TRND. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, TRND has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TRND or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 16.94% return vs 6.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TRND or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.77% for TRND.

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

TRND has the higher dividend yield at 2.10%, compared with 0.49% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between TRND and QQQ?

TRND is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. TRND tracks Pacer Trendpilot Fund of Funds Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Pacer and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.77% for TRND and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.87), 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.