WUGI vs. QQQM

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

WUGI (Esoterica NextG Economy ETF) and QQQM (Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - WUGI is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Esoterica, while QQQM is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. WUGI is actively managed, while QQQM is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, WUGI returned 14.18%/yr vs 15.34%/yr for QQQM. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. WUGI charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.15%/yr for QQQM.

Performance

WUGI vs. QQQM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with WUGI having a 14.93% return and QQQM slightly higher at 15.22%.

WUGI

• 1D: -4.31%
• 1M: -7.81%
• 6M: 13.48%
• YTD: 14.93%
• 1Y: 24.13%
• 3Y*: 28.74%
• 5Y*: 14.18%
• 10Y*: —

QQQM

• 1D: -1.65%
• 1M: -3.18%
• 6M: 13.83%
• YTD: 15.22%
• 1Y: 27.34%
• 3Y*: 23.46%
• 5Y*: 15.34%
• 10Y*: —

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

WUGI vs. QQQM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	14.93%	22.66%	47.14%	61.30%	-49.55%	25.18%	8.12%
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	15.22%	20.85%	25.68%	55.01%	-32.52%	27.45%	6.64%

Correlation

The correlation between WUGI and QQQM is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 13, 2020	0.89

The correlation between WUGI and QQQM has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.89 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

WUGI vs. QQQM - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WUGI	QQQM
Technology	68.8%	58.7%
Communication Services	7.3%	14.3%
Industrials	6.8%	2.6%
Financial Services	5.0%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	4.8%	11.4%
Utilities	3.8%	1.2%
Healthcare	2.6%	3.7%
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	6.4%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.0%
Energy	0.0%	0.5%

Return for Risk

WUGI vs. QQQM — Risk / Return Rank

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

WUGI

WUGI Risk / Return Rank: 30
WUGI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
WUGI Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
WUGI Omega Ratio Rank: 28
WUGI Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
WUGI Martin Ratio Rank: 34

QQQM

QQQM Risk / Return Rank: 54
QQQM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QQQM Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
QQQM Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QQQM Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QQQM Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

WUGI vs. QQQM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM). 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.

	WUGI	QQQM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	1.48	-0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	2.01	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.26	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.35	2.30	-0.95
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.13	8.14	-4.01

WUGI vs. QQQM - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WUGI Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the QQQM Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WUGI and QQQM, 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

WUGI vs. QQQM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WUGI drawdown since its inception was -56.41%, which is greater than QQQM's maximum drawdown of -35.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WUGI and QQQM.

Drawdown Indicators

	WUGI	QQQM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.41%	-35.04%	-21.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.99%	-11.96%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.49%	-22.70%	-4.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-56.41%	-35.04%	-21.37%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.55%	-5.28%	-8.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.45%	-8.15%	-8.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.86%	3.37%	+2.49%

Volatility

WUGI vs. QQQM - Volatility Comparison

Esoterica NextG Economy ETF (WUGI) has a higher volatility of 14.47% compared to Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF (QQQM) at 7.39%. This indicates that WUGI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQM based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WUGI	QQQM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.47%	7.39%	+7.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	26.10%	15.34%	+10.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.08%	18.54%	+10.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.69%	22.65%	+9.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.44%	22.30%	+9.14%

WUGI vs. QQQM - Expense Ratio Comparison

WUGI has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQM's 0.15% expense ratio.

Dividends

WUGI vs. QQQM - Dividend Comparison

WUGI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 19.87%, more than QQQM's 0.45% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
QQQM Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF	0.45%	0.50%	0.61%	0.65%	0.83%	0.40%	0.16%
WUGI Esoterica NextG Economy ETF	19.87%	22.83%	4.09%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WUGI and QQQM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, WUGI and QQQM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, WUGI or QQQM?

WUGI has higher volatility (14.47%) compared to QQQM (7.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WUGI dropped -56.41% vs QQQM's -35.04%.

Which ETF is better, WUGI or QQQM?

On 5-year performance, QQQM leads with 15.34% vs 14.18% for WUGI. On fees, QQQM is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, QQQM has been the lower-risk option at 7.39%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WUGI or QQQM?

Over the 5-year period, QQQM has performed better with a 15.34% return vs 14.18%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WUGI or QQQM?

QQQM is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for WUGI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WUGI or QQQM?

WUGI has the higher dividend yield at 19.87%, compared with 0.45% for QQQM.

What is the main difference between WUGI and QQQM?

WUGI is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while QQQM is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Esoterica and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for WUGI and 0.15% for QQQM.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 0.83), 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.