AXSM vs QQQ: Correlation
Measured on weekly returns over the past three years, Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (AXSM) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) carry a correlation of 0.26, a weak link.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are AXSM and QQQ?
Across a 3-year window, the weekly returns of AXSM and QQQ correlate at 0.26, weak. The link has loosened recently: the 1-year correlation (0.14) runs below the 3-year figure (0.26). Stretching to 5 years gives 0.10, with an annualized covariance of 201.4 %².
Out of 12 assets tracked against AXSM, QQQ lands near the bottom at #9. Their recent paths diverged sharply: over the last 12 months AXSM outperformed by 43.0 percentage points (+69.3% for AXSM against +26.3% for QQQ). Note the risk asymmetry: AXSM runs 2.0 times the annualized volatility of the other leg, so equal-weighting the two is not an equal-risk position.
How is this computed?
Pearson correlation on weekly returns: ρ(A,B) = cov(rA, rB) / (σA · σB), over windows of 52, 156 and 260 weeks. Covariance is annualized (×52) and expressed in %². Full definitions on the methodology page.
AXSM vs QQQ: side by side
| AXSM (Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.) | QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +69.3% | +26.3% |
| 5-year return | +746.1% | +95.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 39.4% | 19.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.82 | 1.28 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -32.7% | -22.8% |
| Market cap | $10.8B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | – | – |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.44% |
| Expense ratio | – | 0.18% |
| Assets under management | – | $452.8B |
| Sector / category | US Listed | ETF · US Growth & Tech |
QQQ is a Large Growth fund from Invesco: $452.8B under management, 104 holdings, a 0.18% expense ratio, a 0.44% trailing dividend yield.
Year-by-year returns
| Year | AXSM | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +104.2% | -32.6% |
| 2023 | +3.2% | +54.9% |
| 2024 | +6.3% | +25.6% |
| 2025 | +115.9% | +20.8% |
| 2026 | +12.9% | +17.7% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are AXSM and QQQ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.26 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between AXSM and QQQ?
Using weekly returns as of 2026-08-27: 0.26 over 3 years, with 0.14 over the last year and 0.10 over 5 years.
Is QQQ a good diversifier for AXSM?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.26 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.26 mean?
A reading of 0.26 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
Use this data
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Hubs: AXSM correlations · QQQ correlations