VTWAX vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Feb 7, 2019 to Aug 28, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VTWAX beat QQQ?
No — measured from Feb 7, 2019 to Aug 28, 2026 with dividends reinvested, QQQ came out ahead: $44,603 versus $26,475 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 21.9% annual return against 13.8%.
What would $10,000 in VTWAX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTWAX) on Feb 7, 2019 would be worth about $26,475 as of Aug 28, 2026, a total return of 164.8% (13.8% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $44,603.
Which was riskier — VTWAX or QQQ?
VTWAX swung with an annualized volatility of 18.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -34.2%; QQQ ran at 24.0% volatility with a -35.1% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.65 for VTWAX vs 0.83 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Feb 7, 2019 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 VTWAX 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.