WASMX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

WASMX (Boston Trust Walden SMID Cap Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - WASMX is a Mid Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Boston Trust Walden, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, WASMX returned 9.81%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WASMX charges 1.00%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

WASMX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Boston Trust Walden SMID Cap Fund (WASMX) 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, WASMX achieves a 0.86% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, WASMX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 9.81%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

WASMX

• 1D: -0.20%
• 1M: 1.66%
• YTD: 0.86%
• 6M: 1.51%
• 1Y: 4.44%
• 3Y*: 8.57%
• 5Y*: 4.53%
• 10Y*: 9.81%

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)

WASMX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WASMX Boston Trust Walden SMID Cap Fund	0.86%	0.31%	10.39%	16.40%	-14.57%	30.04%	9.22%	32.50%	-5.60%	14.91%
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 WASMX 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	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.66
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2012	0.69

Over the past year, the correlation between WASMX and QQQ has dropped to 0.46 - well below their long-term average of 0.69, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

WASMX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

WASMX

WASMX Risk / Return Rank: 4
WASMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4
WASMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 4
WASMX Omega Ratio Rank: 4
WASMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
WASMX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

WASMX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Boston Trust Walden SMID Cap Fund (WASMX) 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.

	WASMX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.28	2.73	-2.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.53	3.55	-3.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.06	1.47	-0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.31	3.71	-3.41
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.86	14.30	-13.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WASMX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WASMX Sharpe Ratio is 0.28, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WASMX 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

	WASMX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28	2.73	-2.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27	0.83	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.99	-0.46
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.58	0.41	+0.17

Drawdowns

WASMX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WASMX drawdown since its inception was -37.74%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WASMX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	WASMX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.74%	-82.97%	+45.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.38%	-11.96%	+0.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.52%	-22.77%	+2.25%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.07%	-35.12%	+12.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.74%	-35.12%	-2.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.69%	0.00%	-6.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.22%	-32.79%	+27.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	3.11%	+0.94%

Volatility

WASMX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Boston Trust Walden SMID Cap Fund (WASMX) is 3.04%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 4.48%. This indicates that WASMX 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

	WASMX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.04%	4.48%	-1.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.13%	12.11%	-2.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.59%	15.95%	-2.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.16%	22.39%	-5.23%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.61%	22.30%	-3.69%

WASMX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

WASMX has a 1.00% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

WASMX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

WASMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.64%, 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%
WASMX Boston Trust Walden SMID Cap Fund	1.64%	1.65%	1.67%	0.52%	4.90%	4.75%	1.86%	9.96%	4.40%	0.52%	5.41%	7.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WASMX and QQQ in my portfolio?

WASMX 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, WASMX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (4.48%) compared to WASMX (3.04%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WASMX dropped -37.74% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 0.28), 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.