GS vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from May 4, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did GS beat QQQ?
Yes — measured from May 4, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, GS came out ahead: $236,499 versus $162,771 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 12.3% annual return against 10.8%.
What would $10,000 in GS be worth today?
$10,000 invested in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) on May 4, 1999 would be worth about $236,499 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 2265.0% (12.3% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $162,771.
Which was riskier — GS or QQQ?
GS swung with an annualized volatility of 36.0% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -78.8%; QQQ ran at 26.9% volatility with a -83.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.29 for GS vs 0.33 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering May 4, 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 GS 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.