VSTSX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VSTSX (Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - VSTSX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 5 years, VSTSX returned 13.07%/yr vs 17.97%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VSTSX charges 0.01%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) 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, VSTSX achieves a 11.99% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

VSTSX

• 1D: 0.24%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 11.99%
• 6M: 11.89%
• 1Y: 29.14%
• 3Y*: 22.38%
• 5Y*: 13.07%
• 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)

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	11.99%	17.16%	23.27%	26.54%	-19.49%	25.75%	21.02%	30.81%	-5.15%	20.21%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	31.49%

Correlation

The correlation between VSTSX and QQQ is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 2017	0.90

The correlation between VSTSX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VSTSX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VSTSX

VSTSX Risk / Return Rank: 72
VSTSX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
VSTSX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
VSTSX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VSTSX Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
VSTSX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

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.

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) 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.

	VSTSX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.47	2.64	-0.16
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.37	3.45	-0.08
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.45	-0.01
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	3.51	-0.13
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.60	13.49	+2.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VSTSX Sharpe Ratio is 2.47, which is comparable to the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VSTSX 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

	VSTSX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.47	2.64	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76	0.81	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.80	0.41	+0.39

Drawdowns

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VSTSX drawdown since its inception was -34.97%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VSTSX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VSTSX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.97%	-82.97%	+48.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.92%	-11.96%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.36%	-22.77%	+3.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.35%	-35.12%	+9.77%
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	-4.89%	-32.79%	+27.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.93%	3.11%	-1.18%

Volatility

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) is 2.95%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.49%. This indicates that VSTSX 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

	VSTSX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	4.49%	-1.54%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.19%	12.10%	-2.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.19%	15.94%	-3.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.36%	22.38%	-5.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.76%	22.29%	-3.53%

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VSTSX has a 0.01% 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

VSTSX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

VSTSX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, 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%
VSTSX Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares	1.02%	1.13%	1.27%	1.43%	1.67%	1.23%	1.44%	1.79%	2.07%	1.74%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VSTSX and QQQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VSTSX and QQQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VSTSX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.49%) compared to VSTSX (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VSTSX dropped -34.97% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 2.47), 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.