UMI vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

UMI (USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - UMI is a Energy Equities fund actively managed by Wainwright, Inc., while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. UMI is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, UMI returned 20.82%/yr vs 16.13%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. UMI charges 0.85%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

UMI vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) 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, UMI achieves a 24.37% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 16.89% return.

UMI

• 1D: 1.55%
• 1M: -0.98%
• YTD: 24.37%
• 6M: 24.06%
• 1Y: 27.75%
• 3Y*: 28.08%
• 5Y*: 20.82%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -1.80%
• YTD: 16.89%
• 6M: 15.09%
• 1Y: 33.02%
• 3Y*: 26.78%
• 5Y*: 16.13%
• 10Y*: 22.36%

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

UMI vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF	24.37%	5.11%	42.97%	14.60%	20.78%	20.97%	-8.25%	21.06%	-10.64%	2.76%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.89%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	1.45%

Correlation

The correlation between UMI and QQQ is -0.11, 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	-0.11
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 30, 2017	0.30

The correlation between UMI and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.11 (1 year) to 0.30 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UMI vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UMI	QQQ
Energy	99.0%	0.5%
Utilities	1.0%	1.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	3.7%
Industrials	-	2.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	58.7%

Return for Risk

UMI vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

UMI

UMI Risk / Return Rank: 68
UMI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
UMI Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
UMI Omega Ratio Rank: 64
UMI Calmar Ratio Rank: 81
UMI Martin Ratio Rank: 61

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 63
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

UMI vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) 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.

	UMI	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	1.85	+0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.67	2.45	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.33	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.72	2.77	+0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.50	10.21	-0.71

UMI vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UMI Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UMI 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

UMI vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UMI drawdown since its inception was -48.08%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UMI and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	UMI	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.08%	-82.97%	+34.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.50%	-11.96%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.08%	-22.77%	+5.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.05%	-35.12%	+15.07%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.32%	-3.89%	+0.57%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.58%	-32.72%	+26.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	3.24%	-0.31%

Volatility

UMI vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF (UMI) is 5.38%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.02%. This indicates that UMI 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

	UMI	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.38%	9.02%	-3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.24%	14.55%	-3.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.36%	17.91%	-3.55%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.48%	22.69%	-3.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.15%	22.41%	+0.74%

UMI vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

UMI has a 0.85% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

UMI vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

UMI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.90%, more than QQQ's 0.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.42%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
UMI USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund ETF	5.90%	6.23%	4.39%	4.67%	4.36%	3.00%	2.18%	2.47%	2.48%	0.15%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UMI and QQQ in my portfolio?

UMI and QQQ have a correlation of -0.11, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UMI or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.02%) compared to UMI (5.38%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UMI dropped -48.08% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, UMI or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, UMI leads with 20.82% vs 16.13% for QQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, UMI has been the lower-risk option at 5.38%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UMI or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, UMI has performed better with a 20.82% return vs 16.13%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UMI or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.85% for UMI.

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

UMI has the higher dividend yield at 5.90%, compared with 0.42% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between UMI and QQQ?

UMI is categorized as Energy Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Wainwright, Inc. and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.85% for UMI and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UMI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.94 vs 1.85), 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.