VLT vs. QQQM

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VLT (Invesco High Income Trust II) is a stock, while QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, VLT returned 3.82%/yr vs 18.07%/yr for QQQM. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VLT vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco High Income Trust II (VLT) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VLT achieves a -2.21% return, which is significantly lower than QQQM's 21.39% return.

VLT

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 0.95%
• YTD: -2.21%
• 6M: -0.98%
• 1Y: 8.60%
• 3Y*: 11.91%
• 5Y*: 3.82%
• 10Y*: 6.47%

QQQM

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 10.67%
• YTD: 21.39%
• 6M: 19.75%
• 1Y: 41.98%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

VLT vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
VLT Invesco High Income Trust II	-2.21%	13.22%	17.38%	13.12%	-20.82%	14.53%	11.19%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	21.39%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	27.45%	6.67%

Correlation

The correlation between VLT and QQQM is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.37
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2020	0.45

The correlation between VLT and QQQM shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (1 year) to 0.46 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VLT vs. QQQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

VLT

VLT Risk / Return Rank: 66
VLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VLT Omega Ratio Rank: 67
VLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VLT Martin Ratio Rank: 66

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 75
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQM 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.

VLT vs. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco High Income Trust II (VLT) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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.

	VLT	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	2.65	-1.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.62	3.46	-1.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.45	-0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.82	3.53	-2.71
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.92	13.52	-10.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VLT vs. QQQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VLT Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is lower than the QQQM Sharpe Ratio of 2.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VLT and QQQM, 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

	VLT	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.07	2.65	-1.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33	0.82	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.14	0.85	-0.70

Drawdowns

VLT vs. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VLT drawdown since its inception was -75.78%, which is greater than QQQM's maximum drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VLT and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	VLT	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.78%	-35.04%	-40.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.55%	-11.96%	+1.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.41%	-22.70%	+9.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.46%	-35.04%	+4.58%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.02%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.42%	-0.20%	-3.22%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.95%	-8.25%	-8.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	3.11%	-0.16%

Volatility

VLT vs. QQQM - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco High Income Trust II (VLT) is 3.42%, while Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that VLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VLT	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.42%	4.48%	-1.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.57%	12.05%	-5.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.05%	15.91%	-7.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.72%	22.24%	-10.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.93%	22.12%	-8.19%

Dividends

VLT vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

VLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.78%, more than QQQM's 0.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.41%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VLT Invesco High Income Trust II	10.78%	10.27%	10.55%	11.13%	11.27%	8.06%	8.51%	8.10%	8.44%	7.00%	8.06%	9.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VLT and QQQM in my portfolio?

VLT and QQQM have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VLT or QQQM?

QQQM has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to VLT (3.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VLT dropped -75.78% vs QQQM's -35.04%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.65 vs 1.07), 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.