VEIGX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VEIGX (Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - VEIGX is a ESG fund managed by Vanguard, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, VEIGX returned 10.62%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for QQQ. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VEIGX charges 0.56%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares (VEIGX) 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, VEIGX achieves a 10.78% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

VEIGX

• 1D: 0.60%
• 1M: 6.95%
• YTD: 10.78%
• 6M: 11.48%
• 1Y: 16.53%
• 3Y*: 16.62%
• 5Y*: 10.62%
• 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)

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VEIGX Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares	10.78%	12.19%	16.20%	19.49%	-10.85%	22.19%	19.30%	11.76%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	17.16%

Correlation

The correlation between VEIGX and QQQ is 0.70, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.70
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 17, 2019	0.74

The correlation between VEIGX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VEIGX	QQQ
Technology	30.3%	53.8%
Financial Services	20.8%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	13.5%	12.3%
Healthcare	8.3%	4.2%
Industrials	7.4%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	5.5%	7.7%
Real Estate	5.2%	0.1%
Basic Materials	3.7%	1.1%
Communication Services	3.2%	15.8%
Utilities	2.0%	1.4%
Energy	-	0.6%

Return for Risk

VEIGX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VEIGX

VEIGX Risk / Return Rank: 19
VEIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
VEIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
VEIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
VEIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
VEIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares (VEIGX) 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.

	VEIGX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	2.64	-1.38
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.84	3.45	-1.60
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.45	-0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.52	3.51	-1.99
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.70	13.49	-7.79
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEIGX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEIGX 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

	VEIGX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	2.64	-1.38
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.73	0.81	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.82	0.41	+0.41

Drawdowns

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEIGX drawdown since its inception was -30.54%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEIGX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEIGX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.54%	-82.97%	+52.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.78%	-11.96%	+1.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.53%	-22.77%	+8.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.77%	-35.12%	+11.35%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.26%	+0.26%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-32.79%	+28.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	3.11%	-0.25%

Volatility

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares (VEIGX) is 3.49%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that VEIGX 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

	VEIGX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.49%	4.49%	-1.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.17%	12.10%	-1.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.99%	15.94%	-2.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.62%	22.38%	-7.76%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.32%	22.29%	-4.97%

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VEIGX has a 0.56% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

VEIGX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

VEIGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.85%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

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%
VEIGX Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund Investor Shares	3.85%	4.54%	4.87%	1.72%	2.11%	2.63%	0.99%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEIGX and QQQ in my portfolio?

VEIGX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEIGX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to VEIGX (3.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEIGX dropped -30.54% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 1.26), 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.