HYG vs QQQ — 18-Year Performance Comparison
High Yield Bonds vs Nasdaq 100 — backtested 2007–2024
QQQ wins$137,552 vs $22,983 on $10,000 over 18 years
HYGHigh Yield Bonds
Final value$22,983
CAGR+4.7%
Max drawdown-17.5%
Best year+29% (2009)
Years won4 of 18
QQQNasdaq 100
Final value$137,552
CAGR+15.7%
Max drawdown-41.7%
Best year+55% (2023)
Years won14 of 18
Growth of $10,000
2007–2024HYGQQQ
HYG$22,983
QQQ$137,552
50/50 mix$61,871
50/50 blend: $61,871 (+10.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between HYG and QQQ would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than QQQ but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: HYG vs QQQ
| Year | HYG | QQQ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +8.0% | +25.6% | QQQ |
| 2023 | +11.5% | +54.9% | QQQ |
| 2022 | -11.0% | -32.6% | HYG |
| 2021 | +3.8% | +27.4% | QQQ |
| 2020 | +4.5% | +48.6% | QQQ |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +39.0% | QQQ |
| 2018 | -2.0% | -0.1% | QQQ |
| 2017 | +6.1% | +32.7% | QQQ |
| 2016 | +13.4% | +7.1% | HYG |
| 2015 | -5.0% | +9.4% | QQQ |
| 2014 | +1.9% | +19.2% | QQQ |
| 2013 | +5.8% | +36.6% | QQQ |
| 2012 | +11.7% | +18.1% | QQQ |
| 2011 | +6.8% | +3.0% | HYG |
| 2010 | +11.9% | +20.0% | QQQ |
| 2009 | +28.5% | +54.7% | QQQ |
| 2008 | -17.6% | -41.7% | HYG |
| 2007 | +1.6% | +19.7% | QQQ |
More comparisons
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