HTLD vs QQQ: Correlation
How closely do Heartland Express, Inc. (HTLD) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.27, which is weak.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are HTLD and QQQ?
On 3 years of weekly data the HTLD/QQQ correlation comes out at 0.27, weak. The link has loosened recently: the 1-year correlation (0.08) runs below the 3-year figure (0.27). The 5-year figure is 0.33, and annualized covariance runs at 182.0 %².
QQQ is close to the least connected end of HTLD's tracked universe, ranking #12 of 15. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with HTLD ahead by 19.2 points (+45.5% versus +26.3%). Risk is not evenly split, since HTLD carries 1.8 times the volatility of the other side.
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.
HTLD vs QQQ: side by side
| HTLD (Heartland Express, Inc.) | QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +45.5% | +26.3% |
| 5-year return | -24.6% | +95.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 35.1% | 19.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.84 | 1.28 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -55.1% | -22.8% |
| Market cap | $1.0B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | – | – |
| Dividend yield | 0.64% | 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 | HTLD | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -8.3% | -32.6% |
| 2023 | -6.5% | +54.9% |
| 2024 | -20.8% | +25.6% |
| 2025 | -18.8% | +20.8% |
| 2026 | +37.3% | +17.7% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are HTLD and QQQ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.27 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between HTLD and QQQ?
The HTLD/QQQ correlation stands at 0.27 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.08, 5 years: 0.33), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is QQQ a good diversifier for HTLD?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.27 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.27 mean?
A reading of 0.27 sits on a scale from −1 (opposite moves) through 0 (unrelated) to +1 (identical moves). Correlation captures direction, not magnitude or performance.
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Related comparisons
Hubs: HTLD correlations · QQQ correlations
