LIN vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Linde plc 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 LIN beat QQQ?
Yes — measured from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, LIN came out ahead: $492,793 versus $167,793 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 15.3% annual return against 10.9%.
What would $10,000 in LIN be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Linde plc (LIN) on Mar 10, 1999 would be worth about $492,793 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 4827.9% (15.3% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $167,793.
Which was riskier — LIN or QQQ?
LIN swung with an annualized volatility of 26.9% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -51.8%; QQQ ran at 26.9% volatility with a -83.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.50 for LIN 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 LIN 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.