Benchmark research · Nasdaq-100
ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed QQQ (Nasdaq-100)
Any investment can look great over a single hand-picked timeframe. To find what truly kept ahead of QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1), we screened QQQ against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs across 8 different time windows from 1 month to 10 years, including reinvested dividends. A contender had to come out ahead in both the short term and the long term to make the list. Data as of October 22, 2026.
Compare the entire market against QQQ live →Key findings
- How hard it was to top QQQ: Across over 10,000 stocks and ETFs screened, outperformance was uncommon among ETFs but more attainable among stocks. Of 957 eligible ETFs, 27, or 2.8%, outperformed QQQ in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods; 5 were all-weather, keeping ahead in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Of 1,502 eligible stocks, 190, or 13%, cleared the consistency bar, and 43 were all-weather.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
- Popular alternatives: VGT, XLK, and FTEC each outperformed in 4 of 5 short-term periods and 3 of 3 long-term periods. Semiconductor funds SMH and SOXX cleared the consistency bar with 3 of 5 short-term and 3 of 3 long-term periods. AAPL also made the list with 5 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term periods, while NVDA fell short with 1 of 5 and 3 of 3, respectively. QQQM, which tracks the same Nasdaq-100 index as QQQ, did not outperform in any of the listed periods.
- Top ETFs: Technology funds led the group, with 7 of the top ETFs in that category. RSPT outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods, while IYW, VGT, and XLK each outperformed in 4 of 5 short-term and 3 of 3 long-term periods.
- Top stocks: 190 stocks made the consistency cut. The top stocks shown include NTRA and LLY from healthcare, FTNT from technology, and BWLP from industrials. Each outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- The risk trade-off: Over 5 years, the top ETFs shown had median volatility of 26.7%, moderately higher than QQQ's 23.0%, while 13 of 15 had a higher Sharpe ratio, a measure of return relative to risk. The top stocks shown were bumpier still, with median volatility of 44.0%, roughly double or more the benchmark's. Even so, 9 of 10 had a higher Sharpe ratio, suggesting most delivered more return per unit of risk over that period.
How popular alternatives compare
Well-known funds and stocks investors often compare against QQQ, sorted by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | ||
| QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (benchmark) | — | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 |
| VGT Made the listVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.77 |
| XLK Made the listState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.80 |
| FTEC Made the listFidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.6% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.9% | +136% | +132% | +737% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.78 |
| SMH Made the listVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −13.8% | −10.8% | +9.8% | +40.2% | +55.0% | +272% | +304% | +1,570% | 37.0%1.6× QQQ | 0.94 |
| SOXX Made the listiShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −17.0% | −14.3% | +10.3% | +51.9% | +68.0% | +219% | +221% | +1,297% | 39.0%1.7× QQQ | 0.80 |
| NVDA Fell shortNVIDIA Corporation | 1/5 short3/3 long | −7.3% | +0.2% | +5.0% | +12.6% | +18.0% | +395% | +839% | +12,166% | 51.9%2.3× QQQ | 1.12 |
| AAPL Made the listApple Inc. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +2.5% | +6.9% | +27.7% | +28.8% | +35.2% | +104% | +140% | +1,194% | 28.0%1.2× QQQ | 0.77 |
| ARKK Fell shortARK Innovation ETF | 1/5 short1/3 long | −10.6% | +7.7% | +3.2% | +4.5% | −4.1% | +127% | −29.3% | +329% | 46.9%2.0× QQQ | 0.09 |
| MTUM Fell shortiShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 0/5 short1/3 long | −9.2% | −8.0% | +4.9% | +14.6% | +15.8% | +113% | +63.6% | +322% | 22.2%1.0× QQQ | 0.56 |
| QDEF Fell shortNorthern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF | 3/5 short0/3 long | +1.1% | +3.6% | +9.1% | +13.8% | +16.6% | +80.6% | +81.1% | +228% | 13.7%0.6× QQQ | 0.94 |
| VOO Fell shortVanguard S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.7% | +88.8% | +80.8% | +319% | 16.9%0.7× QQQ | 0.79 |
| SPY Fell shortState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | −1.2% | +2.5% | +8.0% | +12.7% | +15.6% | +88.4% | +80.3% | +316% | 17.2%0.7× QQQ | 0.78 |
| VTI Fell shortVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | −1.4% | +1.9% | +7.3% | +12.4% | +15.3% | +87.3% | +71.5% | +298% | 17.5%0.8× QQQ | 0.71 |
| IWM Fell shortiShares Russell 2000 ETF | 1/5 short0/3 long | −3.7% | −5.6% | +0.6% | +12.0% | +14.8% | +73.3% | +29.4% | +157% | 22.4%1.0× QQQ | 0.34 |
| QQQM Fell shortInvesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.7% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +17.0% | +102% | +94.7% | — | 22.9%1.0× QQQ | 0.70 |
| XLC Fell shortState Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −5.4% | −1.3% | −8.3% | −7.3% | −6.0% | +66.3% | +40.9% | — | 21.1%0.9× QQQ | 0.43 |
ETFs that consistently outperformed QQQ
Top 15 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Green cells outperformed QQQ in that period. Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Expense | Assets | |||
| — | QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (benchmark) | — | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 | ||
| 1 | RSPT TechnologyInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.9% | +6.2% | +21.6% | +40.0% | +43.0% | +141% | +116% | +559% | 25.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.74 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| 2 | IYW Broad MarketiShares U.S. Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.4% | +2.4% | +16.3% | +24.7% | +26.1% | +138% | +135% | +773% | 26.7%1.2× QQQ | 0.78 | 0.37% | $24B |
| 3 | VGT TechnologyVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.7% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.7% | +135% | +130% | +753% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.77 | 0.09% | $178B |
| 4 | XLK TechnologyState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −7.1% | +1.3% | +15.6% | +26.8% | +28.4% | +126% | +139% | +741% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.80 | 0.08% | $125B |
| 5 | FTEC TechnologyFidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.1% | +2.6% | +15.4% | +25.9% | +26.9% | +136% | +132% | +737% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.78 | 0.08% | $22B |
| 6 | SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −13.8% | −10.8% | +9.8% | +40.2% | +55.0% | +272% | +304% | +1,570% | 37.0%1.6× QQQ | 0.94 | 0.35% | $66B |
| 7 | SOXX Broad MarketiShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −17.0% | −14.3% | +10.3% | +51.9% | +68.0% | +219% | +221% | +1,297% | 39.0%1.7× QQQ | 0.80 | 0.33% | $39B |
| 8 | FTXL TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −16.0% | −12.2% | +9.3% | +56.8% | +81.8% | +234% | +220% | +1,019% | 39.0%1.7× QQQ | 0.79 | 0.60% | $1.2B |
| 9 | IXN InternationaliShares Global Tech ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −8.8% | −0.5% | +14.3% | +28.7% | +31.1% | +140% | +137% | +693% | 26.2%1.1× QQQ | 0.79 | 0.37% | $9.1B |
| 10 | XNTK TechnologyState Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −10.3% | −1.9% | +13.0% | +23.3% | +24.8% | +159% | +115% | +691% | 29.3%1.3× QQQ | 0.67 | 0.35% | $2.0B |
| 11 | IGM Broad MarketiShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −7.9% | +0.2% | +11.0% | +21.4% | +23.1% | +149% | +126% | +686% | 26.6%1.2× QQQ | 0.75 | 0.37% | $11B |
| 12 | UGA CommoditiesUnited States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short2/3 long | −0.6% | +16.0% | +32.8% | +132% | +125% | +117% | +227% | +401% | 35.1%1.5× QQQ | 0.85 | 1.08% | $167M |
| 13 | BNO CommoditiesUnited States Brent Oil Fund LP | 5/5 short2/3 long | +19.0% | +34.0% | +36.4% | +144% | +139% | +118% | +205% | +359% | 37.1%1.6× QQQ | 0.79 | 1.15% | $768M |
| 14 | CRAK EnergyVanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | +0.5% | +15.8% | +36.4% | +69.7% | +74.3% | +118% | +143% | +325% | 20.9%0.9× QQQ | 0.96 | 0.61% | $810M |
| 15 | BBP HealthcareVirtus Biotech ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −3.6% | +7.0% | +18.9% | +30.2% | +44.0% | +124% | +104% | +245% | 26.8%1.2× QQQ | 0.67 | 0.34% | $126M |
Stocks that consistently outperformed QQQ
Top 10 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Individual stocks swing far more than funds; check the volatility column.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Company | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Market cap | |||
| — | QQQ Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (benchmark) | — | −5.8% | 0.0% | +7.8% | +15.3% | +16.9% | +101% | +94.0% | +531% | 23.0% | 0.69 | |
| 1 | NTRA Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchNatera, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.7% | +51.9% | +93.2% | +75.4% | +113% | +901% | +249% | +3,934% | 57.6%2.5× QQQ | 0.73 | $58B |
| 2 | FTNT Software - InfrastructureFortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.7% | +11.6% | +98.6% | +122% | +104% | +208% | +158% | +2,668% | 44.8%1.9× QQQ | 0.65 | $127B |
| 3 | BWLP Marine ShippingBW LPG Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +1.2% | +20.7% | +46.1% | +116% | +129% | +232% | +966% | +2,648% | 50.9%2.2× QQQ | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| 4 | LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +11.7% | +12.5% | +42.3% | +21.5% | +61.9% | +131% | +461% | +1,870% | 32.8%1.4× QQQ | 1.22 | $1.2T |
| 5 | LPG Oil & Gas MidstreamDorian LPG Ltd. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.9% | +19.7% | +49.2% | +123% | +107% | +123% | +817% | +1,827% | 43.6%1.9× QQQ | 1.24 | $2.2B |
| 6 | COKE Beverages - Non-AlcoholicCoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +16.7% | +15.1% | +44.1% | +67.4% | +257% | +468% | +1,564% | 38.0%1.7× QQQ | 1.11 | $14B |
| 7 | MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +17.9% | +45.8% | +108% | +181% | +148% | +226% | +660% | +1,314% | 33.4%1.5× QQQ | 1.39 | $129B |
| 8 | CVI Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingCVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.5% | +68.6% | +88.5% | +134% | +62.6% | +105% | +289% | +1,306% | 52.4%2.3× QQQ | 0.79 | $5.9B |
| 9 | PANW Software - InfrastructurePalo Alto Networks, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −5.2% | +5.9% | +95.9% | +97.9% | +67.1% | +188% | +322% | +1,306% | 43.4%1.9× QQQ | 0.89 | $290B |
| 10 | WSM Specialty RetailWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.4% | +17.7% | +33.1% | +40.7% | +40.7% | +249% | +202% | +1,298% | 44.4%1.9× QQQ | 0.72 | $31B |
What stands out
Technology stands out among the ETF leaders, with 7 of the top ETFs in that category. Funds focused on technology and semiconductors, including RSPT, VGT, SMH, and SOXX, outperformed across all 3 long-term periods, though not all kept ahead in as many short-term periods. The stock leaders were more varied, spanning healthcare, technology, industrials, energy, and consumer staples. The results point to a broad set of individual winners rather than a single dominant sector.
The risk figures show that these returns came with a bumpier ride. The top ETFs had higher median volatility than QQQ, and the stocks shown had still greater volatility. However, most of both groups had higher Sharpe ratios over 5 years, meaning their returns were stronger relative to their volatility. These comparisons describe past performance, not what will happen next.
Methodology
- Short-term periods: 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y. Long-term periods: 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than QQQ's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of QQQ's (whichever is larger) count as a tie and are shown in gray.
- Consistent means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods, so a recent hot streak alone is not enough. All-weather means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Rankings use long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then the 10Y return.
- Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years. The Sharpe ratio is return above cash divided by volatility over the same period: higher means more return per unit of risk.
- Returns and risk figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update with each market day. Past performance does not predict future results.