VRTIX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VRTIX (Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - VRTIX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX returned 11.14%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VRTIX charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) 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, VRTIX achieves a 17.65% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTIX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.14%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

VRTIX

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 3.42%
• YTD: 17.65%
• 6M: 18.62%
• 1Y: 42.26%
• 3Y*: 18.21%
• 5Y*: 6.22%
• 10Y*: 11.14%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

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

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	17.65%	12.55%	11.59%	17.01%	-20.40%	14.71%	20.46%	25.60%	-10.92%	14.77%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTIX and QQQ is 0.69, 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	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 23, 2010	0.73

The correlation between VRTIX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRTIX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTIX

VRTIX Risk / Return Rank: 62
VRTIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 57
VRTIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VRTIX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VRTIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 82
VRTIX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) 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.

	VRTIX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.24	2.73	-0.49
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.08	3.55	-0.47
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.47	-0.10
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.82	3.71	+0.10
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.59	14.30	-0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTIX 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

	VRTIX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24	2.73	-0.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28	0.83	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.48	0.99	-0.51
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.41	+0.10

Drawdowns

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTIX drawdown since its inception was -41.69%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTIX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTIX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.69%	-82.97%	+41.28%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.99%	-11.96%	+0.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.72%	-22.77%	-4.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.98%	-35.12%	+3.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.69%	-35.12%	-6.57%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.02%	0.00%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.40%	-32.79%	+24.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	3.11%	-0.02%

Volatility

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares (VRTIX) has a higher volatility of 5.55% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.48%. This indicates that VRTIX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTIX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.55%	4.48%	+1.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.57%	12.11%	+1.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.16%	15.95%	+3.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.60%	22.39%	+0.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.46%	22.30%	+1.16%

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRTIX has a 0.08% 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

VRTIX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

VRTIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.08%, 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%
VRTIX Vanguard Russell 2000 Index Fund Institutional Shares	1.08%	1.00%	1.23%	1.46%	1.50%	1.05%	1.14%	1.36%	1.49%	1.24%	1.33%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTIX and QQQ in my portfolio?

VRTIX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTIX or QQQ?

VRTIX has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to QQQ (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTIX dropped -41.69% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.24), 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.