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 20, 2026.
Compare the entire market against QQQ live →Key findings
- How hard it was to top QQQ: Among over 10,000 stocks and ETFs screened, only 25 of 957 eligible ETFs (2.6%) and 180 of 1,502 eligible stocks (12%) outperformed QQQ in a majority of both the short-term and long-term timeframes. The stricter all-weather test narrowed that group to 8 ETFs and 44 stocks.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
- Popular alternatives: VGT, XLK, and FTEC each outperformed in 4 of 5 short-term and 3 of 3 long-term timeframes. Semiconductor funds SMH and SOXX also made the list, with 3 of 5 short-term and 3 of 3 long-term periods ahead. NVDA fell short with 2 of 5 short-term periods, while AAPL qualified with 5 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term periods. QQQM, another Nasdaq-100 fund, did not outperform in any of the listed periods.
- Top ETFs: Technology funds led, making up 7 of the top ETFs. Standouts include IYW, VGT, XLK, and FTEC, each ahead in 4 of 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- Top stocks: 180 stocks met the consistency test. The leading names shown include NTRA and LLY in healthcare, BWLP in industrials, and FTNT in technology. Each outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- The risk trade-off: Over 5 years, the top ETFs had median volatility of 26.5%, above QQQ's 23.0%, while the top stocks' median volatility was 44.6%, roughly double or more. Still, 13 of the 15 top ETFs and 9 of the 10 top stocks had higher Sharpe ratios than QQQ, meaning most delivered more return per unit of risk despite the bumpier ride.
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) | — | −3.2% | +3.2% | +11.2% | +17.4% | +17.9% | +106% | +97.2% | +553% | 23.0% | 0.71 |
| VGT Made the listVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +26.7% | +138% | +133% | +779% | 26.0%1.1× QQQ | 0.78 |
| XLK Made the listState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.8% | +5.7% | +20.3% | +29.0% | +29.3% | +131% | +143% | +767% | 26.0%1.1× QQQ | 0.82 |
| FTEC Made the listFidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +27.0% | +139% | +135% | +763% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.79 |
| SMH Made the listVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −8.3% | −2.2% | +17.8% | +46.4% | +57.8% | +290% | +323% | +1,665% | 36.9%1.6× QQQ | 0.97 |
| SOXX Made the listiShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −10.6% | −4.5% | +19.9% | +59.7% | +71.2% | +234% | +237% | +1,392% | 38.9%1.7× QQQ | 0.82 |
| NVDA Fell shortNVIDIA Corporation | 2/5 short3/3 long | −4.8% | +6.6% | +7.4% | +14.9% | +18.8% | +425% | +884% | +13,019% | 51.9%2.3× QQQ | 1.14 |
| AAPL Made the listApple Inc. | 5/5 short2/3 long | +0.2% | +4.0% | +24.6% | +25.6% | +29.9% | +99.0% | +133% | +1,168% | 28.0%1.2× QQQ | 0.75 |
| ARKK Fell shortARK Innovation ETF | 1/5 short1/3 long | −8.0% | +11.3% | +5.2% | +6.5% | −7.3% | +132% | −28.5% | +340% | 46.8%2.0× QQQ | 0.09 |
| MTUM Fell shortiShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 0/5 short1/3 long | −6.5% | −2.0% | +8.5% | +17.5% | +17.2% | +119% | +68.0% | +336% | 22.1%1.0× QQQ | 0.58 |
| VOO Fell shortVanguard S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.7% | +82.3% | +324% | 16.9%0.7× QQQ | 0.80 |
| SPY Fell shortState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.3% | +81.7% | +321% | 17.1%0.7× QQQ | 0.79 |
| QDEF Fell shortNorthern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF | 2/5 short0/3 long | +0.7% | +4.1% | +8.9% | +13.6% | +15.8% | +79.4% | +81.6% | +228% | 13.7%0.6× QQQ | 0.94 |
| VTI Fell shortVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | 1/5 short0/3 long | −0.8% | +3.2% | +8.3% | +13.1% | +15.2% | +87.9% | +72.6% | +302% | 17.5%0.8× QQQ | 0.71 |
| IWM Fell shortiShares Russell 2000 ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −3.4% | −5.4% | −0.1% | +11.6% | +12.3% | +71.3% | +29.0% | +158% | 22.4%1.0× QQQ | 0.34 |
| QQQM Fell shortInvesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −3.2% | +3.3% | +11.2% | +17.5% | +18.0% | +106% | +98.0% | — | 22.9%1.0× QQQ | 0.71 |
| XLC Fell shortState Street Communication Services Select Sector SPDR ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −4.0% | −0.2% | −6.7% | −4.9% | −4.0% | +71.5% | +41.9% | — | 21.1%0.9× QQQ | 0.44 |
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) | — | −3.2% | +3.2% | +11.2% | +17.4% | +17.9% | +106% | +97.2% | +553% | 23.0% | 0.71 | ||
| 1 | IYW Broad MarketiShares U.S. Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.2% | +5.6% | +20.4% | +26.8% | +27.0% | +143% | +138% | +805% | 26.6%1.2× QQQ | 0.79 | 0.37% | $24B |
| 2 | VGT TechnologyVanguard Information Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +26.7% | +138% | +133% | +779% | 26.0%1.1× QQQ | 0.78 | 0.09% | $178B |
| 3 | XLK TechnologyState Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.8% | +5.7% | +20.3% | +29.0% | +29.3% | +131% | +143% | +767% | 26.0%1.1× QQQ | 0.82 | 0.08% | $125B |
| 4 | FTEC TechnologyFidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −4.2% | +6.3% | +19.1% | +27.6% | +27.0% | +139% | +135% | +763% | 26.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.79 | 0.08% | $22B |
| 5 | XNTK TechnologyState Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.7% | +3.7% | +18.9% | +27.2% | +26.2% | +168% | +119% | +728% | 29.3%1.3× QQQ | 0.68 | 0.35% | $2.0B |
| 6 | IXN InternationaliShares Global Tech ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −6.2% | +4.4% | +19.3% | +31.2% | +32.0% | +145% | +141% | +720% | 26.2%1.1× QQQ | 0.81 | 0.37% | $9.1B |
| 7 | IGM Broad MarketiShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −5.1% | +4.5% | +16.2% | +24.4% | +24.3% | +156% | +130% | +720% | 26.5%1.2× QQQ | 0.76 | 0.37% | $11B |
| 8 | RSPT TechnologyInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.8% | +8.4% | +24.4% | +41.0% | +42.9% | +141% | +119% | +572% | 25.1%1.1× QQQ | 0.75 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| 9 | SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −8.3% | −2.2% | +17.8% | +46.4% | +57.8% | +290% | +323% | +1,665% | 36.9%1.6× QQQ | 0.97 | 0.35% | $66B |
| 10 | SOXX Broad MarketiShares Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −10.6% | −4.5% | +19.9% | +59.7% | +71.2% | +234% | +237% | +1,392% | 38.9%1.7× QQQ | 0.82 | 0.33% | $39B |
| 11 | FTXL TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Semiconductor ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −9.6% | −1.9% | +18.2% | +64.8% | +85.1% | +249% | +235% | +1,077% | 38.8%1.7× QQQ | 0.82 | 0.60% | $1.2B |
| 12 | UGA CommoditiesUnited States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short2/3 long | −0.9% | +16.9% | +40.5% | +130% | +130% | +111% | +221% | +399% | 35.1%1.5× QQQ | 0.84 | 1.08% | $167M |
| 13 | CRAK EnergyVanEck Oil Refiners ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | +1.6% | +20.3% | +41.5% | +73.9% | +81.5% | +121% | +146% | +336% | 20.9%0.9× QQQ | 0.97 | 0.61% | $810M |
| 14 | BBP HealthcareVirtus Biotech ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | +0.6% | +9.8% | +21.3% | +32.8% | +44.2% | +125% | +110% | +249% | 26.8%1.2× QQQ | 0.69 | 0.34% | $126M |
| 15 | COLO InternationalGlobal X - MSCI Colombia ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −2.2% | +8.7% | +17.6% | +37.6% | +52.7% | +187% | +117% | +103% | 23.4%1.0× QQQ | 0.78 | 0.62% | $202M |
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) | — | −3.2% | +3.2% | +11.2% | +17.4% | +17.9% | +106% | +97.2% | +553% | 23.0% | 0.71 | |
| 1 | NTRA Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchNatera, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +9.5% | +54.6% | +95.4% | +77.4% | +115% | +896% | +261% | +3,841% | 57.6%2.5× QQQ | 0.74 | $59B |
| 2 | BWLP Marine ShippingBW LPG Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.7% | +22.6% | +44.0% | +117% | +136% | +230% | +958% | +2,672% | 50.9%2.2× QQQ | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| 3 | FTNT Software - InfrastructureFortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.5% | +6.6% | +107% | +119% | +101% | +203% | +156% | +2,626% | 44.8%1.9× QQQ | 0.65 | $125B |
| 4 | LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +10.2% | +12.1% | +40.0% | +19.4% | +59.7% | +124% | +451% | +1,807% | 32.8%1.4× QQQ | 1.21 | $1.2T |
| 5 | CORT Medical - PharmaceuticalsCorcept Therapeutics Incorporated | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.4% | +27.2% | +151% | +205% | +48.2% | +317% | +498% | +1,593% | 75.9%3.3× QQQ | 0.81 | $13B |
| 6 | COKE Beverages - Non-AlcoholicCoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.3% | +17.3% | +14.9% | +42.9% | +61.7% | +255% | +461% | +1,569% | 38.0%1.7× QQQ | 1.10 | $14B |
| 7 | CVI Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingCVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +16.4% | +79.1% | +106% | +147% | +78.5% | +115% | +304% | +1,424% | 52.3%2.3× QQQ | 0.80 | $6.2B |
| 8 | MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +18.1% | +51.1% | +123% | +191% | +159% | +234% | +690% | +1,387% | 33.4%1.5× QQQ | 1.41 | $133B |
| 9 | WSM Specialty RetailWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.2% | +14.1% | +26.5% | +37.0% | +35.6% | +238% | +199% | +1,268% | 44.4%1.9× QQQ | 0.71 | $30B |
| 10 | HALO BiotechnologyHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +11.6% | +61.3% | +78.8% | +76.9% | +87.1% | +254% | +226% | +1,196% | 40.4%1.8× QQQ | 0.79 | $14B |
What stands out
Technology funds feature prominently among the ETF leaders, and semiconductor funds SMH and SOXX also kept ahead over the long term, though they did not meet the all-weather test. The stock leaders are more varied, spanning healthcare, shipping, technology, consumer staples, and energy. That breadth suggests the results were not limited to one industry, even as technology was the largest ETF category.
The strongest records held across both short- and long-term periods, but the table also shows that some familiar names had uneven results. AAPL cleared the consistency test on strength in the short term, while NVDA and ARKK fell short. The risk figures show that higher returns came with larger price swings, especially among stocks. Most of the top ETFs and stocks still had higher Sharpe ratios than QQQ, though that measure does not remove the uncertainty of future results.
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.