VXX vs. QQQ
VXX (iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VXX is a Volatility fund tracking the S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VXX returned -48.25%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. At a correlation of -0.71, they often move in opposite directions. VXX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.
Performance
VXX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VXX achieves a -9.82% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, VXX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of -48.25%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.07% annualized return.
VXX
- 1D
- 5.99%
- 1M
- -9.65%
- YTD
- -9.82%
- 6M
- -11.92%
- 1Y
- -54.78%
- 3Y*
- -39.15%
- 5Y*
- -45.02%
- 10Y*
- -48.25%
QQQ
- 1D
- -3.29%
- 1M
- -0.43%
- YTD
- 16.45%
- 6M
- 14.99%
- 1Y
- 34.88%
- 3Y*
- 26.05%
- 5Y*
- 16.01%
- 10Y*
- 22.07%
VXX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | -9.82% | -42.21% | -26.22% | -72.52% | -23.80% | -72.41% | 11.04% | -67.75% | 67.91% | -72.64% |
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 16.45% | 20.77% | 25.58% | 54.86% | -32.58% | 27.42% | 48.62% | 38.96% | -0.13% | 32.66% |
Correlation
The correlation between VXX and QQQ is -0.66, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.66 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.68 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.67 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 30, 2009 | -0.71 |
The correlation between VXX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.71 to -0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
VXX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank
VXX
QQQ
VXX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) 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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| VXX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.93 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -4.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.82 | 1.35 | -0.53 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -1.01 | 2.93 | -3.94 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.55 | 10.86 | -12.41 |
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Drawdowns
VXX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VXX drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VXX and QQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VXX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -100.00% | -82.97% | -17.03% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -54.18% | -11.96% | -42.22% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -79.21% | -22.77% | -56.44% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -95.97% | -35.12% | -60.85% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -99.87% | -35.12% | -64.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -100.00% | -4.25% | -95.75% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -95.08% | -32.73% | -62.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 39.47% | 3.22% | +36.25% |
Volatility
VXX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison
iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) has a higher volatility of 17.21% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 9.17%. This indicates that VXX'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.
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Volatility by Period
| VXX | QQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 17.21% | 9.17% | +8.04% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 43.47% | 14.57% | +28.90% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 56.26% | 17.96% | +38.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 68.03% | 22.69% | +45.34% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 70.41% | 22.42% | +47.99% |
VXX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VXX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.
Dividends
VXX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison
VXX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.43%.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF | 0.43% | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.80% | 0.43% | 0.55% | 0.74% | 0.91% | 0.84% | 1.06% | 0.99% |
VXX iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VXX and QQQ have a correlation of -0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VXX has higher volatility (17.21%) compared to QQQ (9.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VXX dropped -100.00% vs QQQ's -82.97%.
On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 22.07% vs -48.25% for VXX. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 9.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 22.07% return vs -48.25%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for VXX.
QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.00% for VXX.
VXX is categorized as Volatility, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. VXX tracks S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index Total Return, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Barclays Capital and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for VXX and 0.18% for QQQ.
QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs -0.98), 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.
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