WLGAX vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

WLGAX (Delaware Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both funds - WLGAX is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund managed by Delaware Funds, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Over the past 10 years, WLGAX returned 16.05%/yr vs 22.07%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WLGAX charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Delaware Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund (WLGAX) 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, WLGAX achieves a -2.77% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.45% return. Over the past 10 years, WLGAX has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 16.05%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 22.07% annualized return.

WLGAX

• 1D: -1.47%
• 1M: -2.98%
• YTD: -2.77%
• 6M: -3.43%
• 1Y: 5.90%
• 3Y*: 13.77%
• 5Y*: 8.99%
• 10Y*: 16.05%

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%

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

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WLGAX Delaware Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund	-2.77%	8.89%	25.97%	37.78%	-27.04%	29.95%	30.75%	36.52%	2.37%	29.02%
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 WLGAX and QQQ is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2000	0.90

The correlation between WLGAX and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

WLGAX vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

WLGAX

WLGAX Risk / Return Rank: 6
WLGAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
WLGAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
WLGAX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
WLGAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
WLGAX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 59
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 58
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.

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Delaware Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund (WLGAX) 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.

	WLGAX	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.45	1.95	-1.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.69	2.57	-1.87
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.35	-0.26
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.37	2.93	-2.56
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.09	10.86	-9.77

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WLGAX Sharpe Ratio is 0.45, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WLGAX 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

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WLGAX drawdown since its inception was -49.78%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WLGAX and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	WLGAX	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.78%	-82.97%	+33.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.12%	-11.96%	-6.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.31%	-22.77%	+3.46%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.00%	-35.12%	-1.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.00%	-35.12%	-1.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.84%	-4.25%	-1.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.11%	-32.73%	+19.62%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.08%	3.22%	+2.86%

Volatility

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Delaware Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund (WLGAX) is 5.73%, while Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) has a volatility of 9.17%. This indicates that WLGAX 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

	WLGAX	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.73%	9.17%	-3.44%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.30%	14.57%	-2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.92%	17.96%	-3.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.72%	22.69%	-1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.75%	22.42%	-1.67%

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

WLGAX has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

WLGAX vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

WLGAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.65%, more than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

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%
WLGAX Delaware Ivy Large Cap Growth Fund	8.65%	8.41%	3.31%	3.07%	12.91%	9.68%	6.56%	12.84%	14.16%	4.45%	5.19%	6.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WLGAX and QQQ in my portfolio?

WLGAX and QQQ have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WLGAX or QQQ?

QQQ has higher volatility (9.17%) compared to WLGAX (5.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WLGAX dropped -49.78% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.95 vs 0.45), 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.