TTD vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
The Trade Desk, Inc. against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Sep 21, 2016 to Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did TTD beat QQQ?
Yes — measured from Sep 21, 2016 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, TTD came out ahead: $65,748 versus $64,396 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 21.2% annual return against 20.9%.
What would $10,000 in TTD be worth today?
$10,000 invested in The Trade Desk, Inc. (TTD) on Sep 21, 2016 would be worth about $65,748 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 557.5% (21.2% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $64,396.
Which was riskier — TTD or QQQ?
TTD swung with an annualized volatility of 68.3% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -87.6%; QQQ ran at 22.6% volatility with a -35.1% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.28 for TTD vs 0.84 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Sep 21, 2016 through Jul 13, 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 TTD 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.