V vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 6, 2026

V (Visa Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, V returned 15.72%/yr vs 21.27%/yr for QQQ. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

V vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Visa Inc. (V) 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, V achieves a -7.36% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, V has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 15.72%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.27% annualized return.

V

• 1D: 1.06%
• 1M: 1.71%
• YTD: -7.36%
• 6M: -1.91%
• 1Y: -11.08%
• 3Y*: 13.20%
• 5Y*: 7.86%
• 10Y*: 15.72%

QQQ

• 1D: -4.80%
• 1M: 1.34%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 35.00%
• 3Y*: 26.46%
• 5Y*: 16.70%
• 10Y*: 21.27%

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

V vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
V Visa Inc.	-7.36%	11.76%	22.32%	26.31%	-3.40%	-0.31%	17.12%	43.33%	16.49%	47.18%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	14.92%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between V and QQQ is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.48
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2008	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between V and QQQ has dropped to 0.23 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

V vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

V

V Risk / Return Rank: 20
V Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
V Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
V Omega Ratio Rank: 18
V Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
V Martin Ratio Rank: 21

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 62
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

V vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Visa Inc. (V) 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.

	V	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.50	2.11	-2.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.59	2.72	-3.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.37	-0.44
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.55	2.94	-3.48
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.01	11.22	-12.23
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

V vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current V Sharpe Ratio is -0.50, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of V 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

	V	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.50	2.11	-2.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.35	0.75	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.95	-0.31
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.40	+0.29

Drawdowns

V vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum V drawdown since its inception was -51.90%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for V and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	V	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.90%	-82.97%	+31.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.38%	-11.96%	-8.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.38%	-22.77%	+2.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.60%	-35.12%	+6.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.36%	-35.12%	-1.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.64%	-5.51%	-7.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.26%	-32.78%	+24.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.00%	3.13%	+7.87%

Volatility

V vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Visa Inc. (V) is 5.65%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 6.68%. This indicates that V 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

	V	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.65%	6.68%	-1.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.47%	13.12%	+4.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.27%	16.69%	+5.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.79%	22.47%	+0.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.46%	22.34%	+2.12%

Dividends

V vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

V's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.80%, more than QQQ's 0.40% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.40%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
V Visa Inc.	0.80%	0.70%	0.68%	0.72%	0.76%	0.62%	0.56%	0.56%	0.67%	0.61%	0.75%	0.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both V and QQQ in my portfolio?

V and QQQ have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, V or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (6.68%) compared to V (5.65%). In terms of maximum drawdown, V dropped -51.90% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.11 vs -0.50), 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.