XAR vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XAR is a Aerospace & Defense fund tracking the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XAR returned 17.82%/yr vs 21.59%/yr for QQQ. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XAR charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

XAR vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) 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, XAR achieves a 12.43% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 16.71% return. Over the past 10 years, XAR has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of 17.82%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.59% annualized return.

XAR

• 1D: -0.54%
• 1M: 2.15%
• YTD: 12.43%
• 6M: 16.39%
• 1Y: 37.23%
• 3Y*: 32.47%
• 5Y*: 15.97%
• 10Y*: 17.82%

QQQ

• 1D: 1.56%
• 1M: 0.68%
• YTD: 16.71%
• 6M: 15.00%
• 1Y: 35.78%
• 3Y*: 27.15%
• 5Y*: 16.98%
• 10Y*: 21.59%

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

XAR vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	12.43%	46.15%	23.32%	23.79%	-5.02%	2.31%	6.18%	39.33%	-4.58%	33.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	16.71%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between XAR and QQQ is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.50
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2011	0.56

The correlation between XAR and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

XAR vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XAR	QQQ
Industrials	99.1%	2.8%
Technology	0.8%	53.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

XAR vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 43
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 45
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 39
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 41

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 68

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.

XAR vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) 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.

	XAR	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	2.15	-0.77
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.02	2.77	-0.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.38	-0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.17	3.00	-0.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.13	11.43	-5.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XAR vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XAR Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XAR 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

	XAR	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.39	2.15	-0.77
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68	0.76	-0.07
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.73	0.97	-0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.84	0.40	+0.44

Drawdowns

XAR vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XAR drawdown since its inception was -46.37%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XAR and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XAR	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.37%	-82.97%	+36.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.22%	-11.96%	-5.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.73%	-22.77%	+3.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.40%	-35.12%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.37%	-35.12%	-11.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.35%	-4.03%	-3.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.78%	-32.77%	+25.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.09%	3.14%	+2.95%

Volatility

XAR vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a higher volatility of 9.09% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 6.84%. This indicates that XAR'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

	XAR	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	9.09%	6.84%	+2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.58%	13.20%	+9.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.05%	16.74%	+10.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.46%	22.49%	+0.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.65%	22.36%	+2.29%

XAR vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XAR has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

XAR vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%, less than QQQ's 0.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.39%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.32%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XAR and QQQ in my portfolio?

XAR and QQQ have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XAR or QQQ?

XAR has higher volatility (9.09%) compared to QQQ (6.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XAR dropped -46.37% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, XAR or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.59% vs 17.82% for XAR. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XAR or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.59% return vs 17.82%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XAR or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for XAR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, XAR or QQQ?

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.32% for XAR.

What is the main difference between XAR and QQQ?

XAR is categorized as Aerospace & Defense, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for XAR and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.15 vs 1.39), 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.