VRP vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VRP (Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VRP is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities Floating and Variable Rate Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VRP returned 5.23%/yr vs 21.94%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VRP charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

VRP vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) 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, VRP achieves a 2.11% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return. Over the past 10 years, VRP has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 5.23%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.94% annualized return.

VRP

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 0.66%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: 2.32%
• 1Y: 6.96%
• 3Y*: 9.76%
• 5Y*: 4.38%
• 10Y*: 5.23%

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)

VRP vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRP Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF	2.11%	7.34%	11.10%	10.35%	-9.00%	4.20%	5.11%	18.84%	-6.62%	9.26%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VRP and QQQ is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 2, 2014	0.38

VRP vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VRP	QQQ
Financial Services	41.3%	0.2%
Utilities	17.0%	1.4%
Energy	7.5%	0.6%
Communication Services	4.5%	15.8%
Real Estate	2.8%	0.1%
Healthcare	1.7%	4.2%
Industrials	1.4%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	0.7%	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	0.3%	7.7%
Basic Materials	0.2%	1.1%
Technology	-	53.8%

Return for Risk

VRP vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRP

VRP Risk / Return Rank: 71
VRP Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VRP Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
VRP Omega Ratio Rank: 85
VRP Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VRP Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

VRP vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) 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.

	VRP	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.42	2.64	-0.21
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.51	3.45	+0.07
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.53	1.45	+0.08
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	3.51	-1.09
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.02	13.49	-0.47
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRP vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRP Sharpe Ratio is 2.42, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRP 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

	VRP	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.42	2.64	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67	0.81	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.36	0.99	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.38	0.41	-0.03

Drawdowns

VRP vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRP drawdown since its inception was -46.04%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRP and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRP	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.04%	-82.97%	+36.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.89%	-11.96%	+9.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.26%	-22.77%	+18.51%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.76%	-35.12%	+21.36%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.04%	-35.12%	-10.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.12%	-0.26%	+0.14%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.31%	-32.79%	+30.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.54%	3.11%	-2.57%

Volatility

VRP vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF (VRP) is 0.66%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that VRP 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

	VRP	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.66%	4.49%	-3.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.33%	12.10%	-9.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.88%	15.94%	-13.06%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.55%	22.38%	-15.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.53%	22.29%	-7.76%

VRP vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRP has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRP vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

VRP's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.30%, 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%
VRP Invesco Variable Rate Preferred ETF	6.30%	6.53%	5.78%	6.61%	5.38%	4.25%	4.17%	4.71%	5.28%	4.69%	5.10%	5.02%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRP and QQQ in my portfolio?

VRP and QQQ have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRP or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to VRP (0.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRP dropped -46.04% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, VRP or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.94% vs 5.23% for VRP. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, VRP has been the lower-risk option at 0.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VRP or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.94% return vs 5.23%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VRP or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for VRP.

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

VRP has the higher dividend yield at 6.30%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between VRP and QQQ?

VRP is categorized as Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. VRP tracks Wells Fargo Hybrid and Preferred Securities Floating and Variable Rate Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for VRP and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.42), 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.