VWNDX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VWNDX (Vanguard Windsor Fund Investor Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - VWNDX is a Large Cap Value Equities fund managed by Vanguard, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, VWNDX returned 11.69%/yr vs 21.84%/yr for QQQ. A 0.72 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VWNDX charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Windsor Fund Investor Shares (VWNDX) 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, VWNDX achieves a 6.64% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 20.71% return. Over the past 10 years, VWNDX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 11.69%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.84% annualized return.

VWNDX

• 1D: -0.64%
• 1M: 2.18%
• YTD: 6.64%
• 6M: 8.13%
• 1Y: 20.82%
• 3Y*: 13.95%
• 5Y*: 9.00%
• 10Y*: 11.69%

QQQ

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: 8.66%
• YTD: 20.71%
• 6M: 19.19%
• 1Y: 40.74%
• 3Y*: 28.54%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 21.84%

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

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VWNDX Vanguard Windsor Fund Investor Shares	6.64%	13.30%	9.53%	15.00%	-3.15%	27.77%	7.38%	30.39%	-12.48%	18.15%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	20.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between VWNDX and QQQ is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 1999	0.72

The correlation between VWNDX and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (3 years) to 0.72 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VWNDX	QQQ
Financial Services	19.5%	0.2%
Healthcare	16.5%	4.2%
Technology	13.4%	53.8%
Industrials	10.6%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	8.4%	12.3%
Energy	8.0%	0.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.1%	7.7%
Basic Materials	5.3%	1.1%
Communication Services	5.2%	15.8%
Real Estate	3.5%	0.1%
Utilities	2.6%	1.4%

Return for Risk

VWNDX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VWNDX

VWNDX Risk / Return Rank: 38
VWNDX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
VWNDX Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
VWNDX Omega Ratio Rank: 32
VWNDX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
VWNDX Martin Ratio Rank: 44

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 74
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 75
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.

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Windsor Fund Investor Shares (VWNDX) 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.

	VWNDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.69	2.57	-0.88
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.46	3.37	-0.91
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.44	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	3.42	-0.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.31	13.14	-3.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VWNDX Sharpe Ratio is 1.69, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VWNDX 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

	VWNDX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.69	2.57	-0.88
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.52	0.80	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.98	-0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.41	+0.07

Drawdowns

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VWNDX drawdown since its inception was -61.48%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VWNDX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VWNDX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.48%	-82.97%	+21.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.88%	-11.96%	+4.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.69%	-22.77%	+1.08%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-21.69%	-35.12%	+13.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-40.12%	-35.12%	-5.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.64%	-0.74%	+0.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.91%	-32.78%	+23.87%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.22%	3.11%	-0.89%

Volatility

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Windsor Fund Investor Shares (VWNDX) is 2.91%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.51%. This indicates that VWNDX 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

	VWNDX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.91%	4.51%	-1.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.85%	12.10%	-3.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	15.94%	-3.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.33%	22.37%	-5.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.64%	22.29%	-2.65%

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VWNDX has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

VWNDX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

VWNDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.30%, 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%
VWNDX Vanguard Windsor Fund Investor Shares	7.30%	7.78%	12.48%	8.24%	15.38%	11.46%	8.37%	10.26%	13.15%	3.51%	4.89%	8.51%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VWNDX and QQQ in my portfolio?

VWNDX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VWNDX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.51%) compared to VWNDX (2.91%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VWNDX dropped -61.48% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.57 vs 1.69), 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.