V vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 30, 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 17.28%/yr vs 21.81%/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 -2.18% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 18.15% return. Over the past 10 years, V has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 17.28%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.81% annualized return.

V

• 1D: 1.61%
• 1M: 4.69%
• YTD: -2.18%
• 6M: -3.26%
• 1Y: -1.22%
• 3Y*: 13.75%
• 5Y*: 8.69%
• 10Y*: 17.28%

QQQ

• 1D: 2.49%
• 1M: -1.82%
• YTD: 18.15%
• 6M: 16.90%
• 1Y: 32.75%
• 3Y*: 25.87%
• 5Y*: 16.05%
• 10Y*: 21.81%

*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.	-2.18%	11.76%	22.32%	26.31%	-3.40%	-0.31%	17.12%	43.33%	16.49%	47.18%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	18.15%	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 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 19, 2008	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between V and QQQ has dropped to 0.16 - 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: 39
V Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
V Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
V Omega Ratio Rank: 35
V Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
V Martin Ratio Rank: 41

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 64
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 62
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.

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.

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.

	V	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.06	1.82	-1.87
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.07	2.42	-2.35
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.01	1.32	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.07	2.75	-2.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.15	10.06	-10.21

V vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current V Sharpe Ratio is -0.06, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. 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.

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	-17.18%	-11.96%	-5.22%
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	-7.76%	-2.85%	-4.91%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.27%	-32.71%	+24.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.09%	3.26%	+4.83%

Volatility

V vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Visa Inc. (V) is 6.25%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.43%. 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	6.25%	9.43%	-3.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.96%	14.81%	+2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.39%	18.14%	+3.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.86%	22.72%	+0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.39%	22.41%	+1.98%

Dividends

V vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

V's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.76%, 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%
V Visa Inc.	0.76%	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 0.16, 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 (9.43%) compared to V (6.25%). 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 (1.82 vs -0.06), 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.