CMG vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Jan 26, 2006 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did CMG beat QQQ?
Yes — measured from Jan 26, 2006 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, CMG came out ahead: $432,159 versus $201,932 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 20.1% annual return against 15.7%.
What would $10,000 in CMG be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) on Jan 26, 2006 would be worth about $432,159 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 4221.6% (20.1% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $201,932.
Which was riskier — CMG or QQQ?
CMG swung with an annualized volatility of 38.5% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -74.6%; QQQ ran at 22.0% volatility with a -53.4% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.47 for CMG vs 0.62 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Jan 26, 2006 through Aug 28, 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 CMG 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.