QQQ vs TLT — 21-Year Performance Comparison
Nasdaq 100 vs Long-Term Treasuries — backtested 2004–2024
QQQ wins$166,167 vs $20,150 on $10,000 over 21 years
QQQNasdaq 100
Final value$166,167
CAGR+14.3%
Max drawdown-41.7%
Best year+55% (2023)
Years won16 of 21
TLTLong-Term Treasuries
Final value$20,150
CAGR+3.4%
Max drawdown-38.0%
Best year+34% (2011)
Years won5 of 21
Growth of $10,000
2004–2024QQQTLT
QQQ$166,167
TLT$20,150
50/50 mix$73,790
50/50 blend: $73,790 (+10.0%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between QQQ and TLT would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than QQQ but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: QQQ vs TLT
| Year | QQQ | TLT | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +25.6% | -8.1% | QQQ |
| 2023 | +54.9% | +2.8% | QQQ |
| 2022 | -32.6% | -31.2% | TLT |
| 2021 | +27.4% | -4.6% | QQQ |
| 2020 | +48.6% | +18.1% | QQQ |
| 2019 | +39.0% | +14.1% | QQQ |
| 2018 | -0.1% | -1.6% | QQQ |
| 2017 | +32.7% | +9.2% | QQQ |
| 2016 | +7.1% | +1.2% | QQQ |
| 2015 | +9.4% | -1.8% | QQQ |
| 2014 | +19.2% | +27.3% | TLT |
| 2013 | +36.6% | -13.4% | QQQ |
| 2012 | +18.1% | +2.6% | QQQ |
| 2011 | +3.0% | +34.0% | TLT |
| 2010 | +20.0% | +9.1% | QQQ |
| 2009 | +54.7% | -21.8% | QQQ |
| 2008 | -41.7% | +33.9% | TLT |
| 2007 | +19.7% | +10.3% | QQQ |
| 2006 | +7.0% | +0.7% | QQQ |
| 2005 | +2.2% | +8.8% | TLT |
| 2004 | +10.4% | +7.9% | QQQ |
More comparisons
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