GILD vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Gilead Sciences, 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 GILD beat QQQ?
Yes — measured from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, GILD came out ahead: $1,178,380 versus $167,685 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 19.1% annual return against 10.9%.
What would $10,000 in GILD be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) on Mar 10, 1999 would be worth about $1,178,380 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 11683.8% (19.1% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $167,685.
Which was riskier — GILD or QQQ?
GILD swung with an annualized volatility of 39.6% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -59.7%; QQQ ran at 26.9% volatility with a -83.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.43 for GILD 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 GILD 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.