WK vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

WK (Workiva Inc.) is a stock, while QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) is Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, WK returned 14.65%/yr vs 21.19%/yr for QQQ. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WK vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Workiva Inc. (WK) 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, WK achieves a -36.77% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.13% return. Over the past 10 years, WK has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 14.65%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.19% annualized return.

WK

• 1D: 4.54%
• 1M: 11.47%
• 6M: -38.90%
• YTD: -36.77%
• 1Y: -18.77%
• 3Y*: -19.42%
• 5Y*: -14.35%
• 10Y*: 14.65%

QQQ

• 1D: -1.90%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 13.75%
• YTD: 16.13%
• 1Y: 29.05%
• 3Y*: 24.08%
• 5Y*: 15.10%
• 10Y*: 21.19%

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

WK vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WK Workiva Inc.	-36.77%	-21.23%	7.85%	20.91%	-35.65%	42.43%	117.88%	17.16%	67.71%	56.78%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.13%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between WK and QQQ is -0.00, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.00
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2014	0.45

The correlation between WK and QQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.00 (1 year) to 0.47 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

WK vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

WK

WK Risk / Return Rank: 30
WK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
WK Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
WK Omega Ratio Rank: 28
WK Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
WK Martin Ratio Rank: 32

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 58
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 56
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

WK vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Workiva Inc. (WK) 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.

	WK	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.36	1.57	-1.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.26	2.13	-2.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.97	1.28	-0.31
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.36	2.44	-2.80
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.68	8.74	-9.42

WK vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WK Sharpe Ratio is -0.36, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WK 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.

Drawdowns

WK vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WK drawdown since its inception was -72.45%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WK and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	WK	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.45%	-82.97%	+10.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-52.51%	-11.96%	-40.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-61.40%	-22.77%	-38.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-72.45%	-35.12%	-37.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-72.45%	-35.12%	-37.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-66.09%	-4.51%	-61.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.77%	-32.67%	+5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	27.61%	3.33%	+24.28%

Volatility

WK vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Workiva Inc. (WK) has a higher volatility of 11.21% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 8.69%. This indicates that WK'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

	WK	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.21%	8.69%	+2.52%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.22%	15.40%	+17.82%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	52.26%	18.61%	+33.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.96%	22.80%	+23.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	43.49%	22.44%	+21.05%

Dividends

WK vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

WK 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%
WK Workiva Inc.	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

Can I hold both WK and QQQ in my portfolio?

WK and QQQ have a correlation of -0.00, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WK or QQQ?

WK has higher volatility (11.21%) compared to QQQ (8.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WK dropped -72.45% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs -0.36), 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.