QQQ vs CSNDX: returns, risk and drawdowns compared
Invesco QQQ Trust against iShares NASDAQ 100 UCITS ETF (Acc), over the same 16 years (February 2010 to October 2026) with dividends reinvested.
Data updated October 2026
From February 2010 to October 2026, QQQ returned 19.4% a year and CSNDX 18.3% a year on average, so QQQ came out ahead by 1.1% a year. QQQ was the more volatile of the two (17.5% against 17.3% a year), and the deepest falls from a month-end high were 32.6% for QQQ and 30.2% for CSNDX.
The correlation of monthly returns was 0.71: they usually moved together. Over 166 rolling 3-year periods, QQQ did better in 43% and CSNDX in 57%.
Both funds follow the same index, so differences come mostly from ongoing charges, tracking and how dividends are handled.
QQQ trades in USD and CSNDX in EUR: each return is in its own currency, so part of the gap reflects the move of the euro against the dollar.
Side by side
| QQQ | CSNDX | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual return (CAGR) | +19.4% | +18.3% |
| Total return | +1836% | +1562% |
| Annual volatility | 17.5% | 17.3% |
| Maximum drawdown (month-end) | −32.6% | −30.2% |
| Worst month | −13.6% | −19.5% |
| Best month | +15.6% | +13.9% |
| Positive months | 63% | 66% |
| Best year | 2023: +54.9% | 2023: +50.1% |
| Worst year | 2022: −32.6% | 2022: −30.2% |
| 1-year return | +19.5% | +26.3% |
| 5 years, a year | +14.5% | +15.4% |
| 10 years, a year | +20.6% | +20.2% |
| Trading currency | USD | EUR |
First nine rows: the same 201 months for both funds. Trailing returns: to each fund’s last close.
Growth of 10,000: QQQ vs CSNDX
Returns by calendar year
| Year | QQQ | CSNDX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +20.8% | +6.7% |
| 2024 | +25.6% | +35.1% |
| 2023 | +54.9% | +50.1% |
| 2022 | −32.6% | −30.2% |
| 2021 | +27.4% | +39.8% |
| 2020 | +48.6% | +35.4% |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +41.9% |
| 2018 | −0.1% | +3.6% |
| 2017 | +32.7% | +16.3% |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +1.5% |
| 2015 | +9.4% | +31.1% |
| 2014 | +19.2% | +37.5% |
| 2013 | +36.6% | +31.6% |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +13.3% |
| 2011 | +3.4% | +5.5% |
How the figures are calculated
Total return in the fund’s trading currency, from end-of-day prices with dividends reinvested on the ex-date. The fund’s own ongoing charges are already reflected in its price; trading costs, taxes and currency conversion are not included. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The comparison uses only the months in which both funds have prices, so the figures cover the same period even when one fund is older.
Questions
Which has returned more, QQQ or CSNDX?
From February 2010 to October 2026, QQQ returned +19.4% a year and CSNDX +18.3% a year, with dividends reinvested, each in its own trading currency (USD and EUR). Over rolling 3-year periods QQQ did better in 43% of cases. Past returns do not predict future returns.
Which is riskier, QQQ or CSNDX?
Over the same months annual volatility was 17.5% for QQQ and 17.3% for CSNDX; the deepest fall from a month-end high was 32.6% and 30.2%, and the worst single month −13.6% and −19.5%.
How correlated are QQQ and CSNDX?
The correlation of their monthly returns was 0.71: they usually moved together. Combining them has historically given some diversification.
More comparisons
Source: MarketStack end-of-day prices, total return with dividends reinvested. Figures are historical and descriptive; they are not forecasts and not investment advice. MEDGE Capital does not recommend buying or selling any instrument. Risk disclaimer.