Is QQQ riskier than SPY?

Historically QQQ has been more concentrated in technology and growth stocks, which often means larger swings than the broader S&P 500 exposure in SPY. Past volatility is not a guarantee of future risk.

Does this chart include dividends?

With DRIP on (the default), yes — dividends buy more shares on each ex-dividend day. Turn DRIP off to compare price return only.

How is the SPY vs QQQ chart calculated?

Each ETF starts at $10,000 using historical daily closes. Stock splits adjust share count. With DRIP on, dividends buy additional shares on ex-dividend days. Ending value, total return, and annual return are derived from that path.

Is this investment advice?

No. Results are historical illustrations only and do not predict future performance or constitute personalized investment, tax, or financial advice.

SPY vs QQQ historical returns (dividends reinvested)

$10,000 starting capital · DRIP on · history from 1999-03-10 to 2026-10-13

SPY tracks the S&P 500’s large-cap U.S. mix; QQQ concentrates on Nasdaq-100 growth names. This chart shows how a $10,000 buy-and-hold in each would have compounded with dividends reinvested, so you can see when tech-heavy exposure pulled ahead or lagged.

QQQUSD

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1

From 1999-03-10 to 2026-10-13

10,000→172,814

Total return +1,628.14% · Annual return +10.88%

SPYUSD

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

From 1999-03-10 to 2026-10-13

10,000→97,461

Total return +874.61% · Annual return +8.6%

Portfolio value

1999-03-10→2026-10-13

Loading chart…

Frequently asked questions

Is QQQ riskier than SPY?: Historically QQQ has been more concentrated in technology and growth stocks, which often means larger swings than the broader S&P 500 exposure in SPY. Past volatility is not a guarantee of future risk.
Does this chart include dividends?: With DRIP on (the default), yes — dividends buy more shares on each ex-dividend day. Turn DRIP off to compare price return only.
How is the SPY vs QQQ chart calculated?: Each ETF starts at $10,000 using historical daily closes. Stock splits adjust share count. With DRIP on, dividends buy additional shares on ex-dividend days. Ending value, total return, and annual return are derived from that path.
Is this investment advice?: No. Results are historical illustrations only and do not predict future performance or constitute personalized investment, tax, or financial advice.

Related ETF comparisons

$10,000 backtest with optional dividend reinvestment.

Historical illustration only — not investment advice. Back to the ETF return calculator.

SPY vs QQQ historical returns (dividends reinvested)

$10,000 starting capital · DRIP on · history from 1999-03-10 to 2026-10-13

QQQUSD

Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1

From 1999-03-10 to 2026-10-13

10,000→172,814

Total return +1,628.14% · Annual return +10.88%

SPYUSD

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

From 1999-03-10 to 2026-10-13

10,000→97,461

Total return +874.61% · Annual return +8.6%

Portfolio value

1999-03-10→2026-10-13

Loading chart…

Frequently asked questions

Is QQQ riskier than SPY?: Historically QQQ has been more concentrated in technology and growth stocks, which often means larger swings than the broader S&P 500 exposure in SPY. Past volatility is not a guarantee of future risk.
Does this chart include dividends?: With DRIP on (the default), yes — dividends buy more shares on each ex-dividend day. Turn DRIP off to compare price return only.
How is the SPY vs QQQ chart calculated?: Each ETF starts at $10,000 using historical daily closes. Stock splits adjust share count. With DRIP on, dividends buy additional shares on ex-dividend days. Ending value, total return, and annual return are derived from that path.
Is this investment advice?: No. Results are historical illustrations only and do not predict future performance or constitute personalized investment, tax, or financial advice.

Related ETF comparisons

$10,000 backtest with optional dividend reinvestment.

Historical illustration only — not investment advice. Back to the ETF return calculator.