ALK vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Alaska Air Group, Inc. against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did ALK beat QQQ?
No — measured from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, QQQ came out ahead: $166,900 versus $42,650 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 10.8% annual return against 5.4%.
What would $10,000 in ALK be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK) on Mar 10, 1999 would be worth about $42,650 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 326.5% (5.4% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $166,900.
Which was riskier — ALK or QQQ?
ALK swung with an annualized volatility of 45.3% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -79.7%; QQQ ran at 26.9% volatility with a -83.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.08 for ALK vs 0.33 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 10, 1999 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 ALK 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.