VIS vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VIS (Vanguard Industrials ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VIS is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VIS returned 14.85%/yr vs 22.48%/yr for QQQ. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VIS charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

VIS vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VIS having a 19.57% return and QQQ slightly higher at 20.41%. Over the past 10 years, VIS has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 14.85%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.48% annualized return.

VIS

• 1D: 0.66%
• 1M: 5.89%
• YTD: 19.57%
• 6M: 17.53%
• 1Y: 33.16%
• 3Y*: 23.08%
• 5Y*: 14.26%
• 10Y*: 14.85%

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)

VIS vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	19.57%	18.57%	16.85%	22.50%	-8.57%	20.80%	12.34%	30.09%	-14.01%	21.47%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.41%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VIS and QQQ is 0.58, 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	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.62
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004	0.73

The correlation between VIS and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.58 (1 year) to 0.73 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VIS vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VIS	QQQ
Industrials	90.2%	2.6%
Technology	4.2%	58.7%
Utilities	3.8%	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	11.4%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Energy	0.2%	0.5%
Basic Materials	0.1%	1.0%
Communication Services	0.0%	14.3%
Real Estate	0.0%	0.1%
Healthcare	0.0%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%

Return for Risk

VIS vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIS

VIS Risk / Return Rank: 59
VIS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VIS Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VIS Omega Ratio Rank: 54
VIS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VIS Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

VIS vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) 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.

	VIS	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.93	2.33	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.71	3.03	-0.32
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.41	-0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.71	3.44	-0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.22	12.79	-1.57

VIS vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIS Sharpe Ratio is 1.93, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIS 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

VIS vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIS drawdown since its inception was -63.51%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIS and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIS	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.51%	-82.97%	+19.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.29%	-11.96%	-0.33%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.80%	-22.77%	+1.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.96%	-35.12%	+12.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.42%	-35.12%	-7.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.99%	+0.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.36%	-32.73%	+24.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.96%	3.21%	-0.25%

Volatility

VIS vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Industrials ETF (VIS) is 6.13%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 8.47%. This indicates that VIS 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

	VIS	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.13%	8.47%	-2.34%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.16%	14.20%	-0.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.26%	17.67%	-0.41%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.47%	22.64%	-4.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.50%	22.43%	-1.93%

VIS vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VIS has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VIS vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

VIS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.85%, more than QQQ's 0.49% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.49%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
VIS Vanguard Industrials ETF	0.85%	1.01%	1.23%	1.36%	1.52%	1.11%	1.38%	1.68%	1.90%	1.60%	1.81%	1.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIS and QQQ in my portfolio?

VIS and QQQ have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIS or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (8.47%) compared to VIS (6.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIS dropped -63.51% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, VIS or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.48% vs 14.85% for VIS. On fees, VIS is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VIS has been the lower-risk option at 6.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VIS or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 22.48% return vs 14.85%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VIS or QQQ?

VIS is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.18% for QQQ.

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

VIS has the higher dividend yield at 0.85%, compared with 0.49% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between VIS and QQQ?

VIS is categorized as Industrials Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. VIS tracks MSCI US Investable Market Industrials 25/50 Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VIS and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs 1.93), 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.