AI vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
C3.ai, Inc. against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 9, 2020 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AI beat QQQ?
No — measured from Dec 9, 2020 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, QQQ came out ahead: $24,771 versus $1,010 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 17.6% annual return against -33.6%.
What would $10,000 in AI be worth today?
$10,000 invested in C3.ai, Inc. (AI) on Dec 9, 2020 would be worth about $1,010 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of -89.9% (-33.6% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $24,771.
Which was riskier — AI or QQQ?
AI swung with an annualized volatility of 81.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -95.6%; QQQ ran at 22.4% volatility with a -35.1% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is -0.44 for AI vs 0.69 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 9, 2020 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AI vs QQQ. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.