XDQQ vs. QQQ

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

XDQQ (Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XDQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Innovator, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. XDQQ is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XDQQ returned 6.00%/yr vs 14.23%/yr for QQQ. Their correlation of 0.93 means they have usually moved in the same direction. XDQQ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly (XDQQ) 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, XDQQ achieves a -3.31% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 12.26% return.

XDQQ

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -3.35%
• 6M: -4.49%
• YTD: -3.31%
• 1Y: 8.25%
• 3Y*: 13.96%
• 5Y*: 6.00%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 7.60%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.65%
• 1M: -3.45%
• 6M: 10.89%
• YTD: 12.26%
• 1Y: 24.81%
• 3Y*: 22.29%
• 5Y*: 14.23%
• 10Y*: 20.44%
• ALL TIME*: 10.64%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	$30.32B	$28.40B	$31.45B
XDQQ Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly	$486.75K	$670.10K	$337.67K

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XDQQ Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly	-3.31%	13.75%	31.47%	30.15%	-33.74%	18.52%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	12.26%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	25.11%

Correlation

The correlation between XDQQ and QQQ is 0.87, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.87
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2021	0.93

The correlation between XDQQ and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.87 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XDQQ	QQQ
Technology	60.2%	60.9%
Communication Services	13.3%	13.1%
Consumer Cyclical	10.9%	10.7%
Consumer Defensive	6.5%	6.3%
Healthcare	3.6%	3.6%
Industrials	2.7%	2.7%
Utilities	1.2%	1.1%
Basic Materials	1.0%	1.0%
Energy	0.5%	0.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

XDQQ vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

XDQQ

XDQQ Risk / Return Rank: 22
XDQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
XDQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
XDQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 21
XDQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
XDQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 27

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 49
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 45
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 52

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly (XDQQ) 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.

	XDQQ	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.43	1.16	-0.73
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.68	1.65	-0.97
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.21	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.56	1.88	-1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.24	6.00	-3.76

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XDQQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.43, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XDQQ 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

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XDQQ drawdown since its inception was -35.63%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XDQQ and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	XDQQ	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.63%	-82.97%	+47.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-11.96%	+0.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.17%	-22.77%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.63%	-35.12%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.13%	-7.69%	+1.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.57%	-32.62%	+22.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.95%	3.74%	-0.79%

Volatility

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly (XDQQ) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) have volatilities of 7.20% and 6.87%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XDQQ	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.20%	6.87%	+0.33%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.90%	16.08%	-4.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.47%	19.38%	-3.91%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.02%	22.90%	-2.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.61%	22.50%	-2.89%

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

XDQQ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

XDQQ vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

XDQQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.44%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
XDQQ Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly	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 XDQQ and QQQ in my portfolio?

XDQQ and QQQ have a correlation of 0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XDQQ or QQQ?

XDQQ has higher volatility (7.20%) compared to QQQ (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XDQQ dropped -35.63% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, XDQQ or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 14.23% vs 6.00% for XDQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 6.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XDQQ or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 14.23% return vs 6.00%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XDQQ or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.79% for XDQQ.

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

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.44%, compared with 0.00% for XDQQ.

What is the main difference between XDQQ and QQQ?

XDQQ is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Innovator and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XDQQ and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.16 vs 0.43), 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.