MAX vs QQQ: Correlation
MediaAlpha, Inc. (MAX) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) show a weak relationship: their 3-year correlation of weekly returns is 0.21.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are MAX and QQQ?
Over the past 3 years, MAX and QQQ moved with a correlation of 0.21, which is weak. The relationship has been stable: the 1-year correlation (0.23) sits close to the 3-year figure. Over 5 years the correlation is 0.23, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 236.2 %².
Among the 11 assets we track against MAX, QQQ sits near the bottom by co-movement, at rank #8. On 12-month performance QQQ holds a 5.1-point edge, +21.2% against +26.3%. Note the risk asymmetry: MAX runs 3.0 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.
MAX vs QQQ: side by side
| MAX (MediaAlpha, Inc.) | QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +21.2% | +26.3% |
| 5-year return | -44.3% | +95.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 58.2% | 19.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.96 | 1.28 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -67.7% | -22.8% |
| Market cap | $0.7B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 7.8 | – |
| 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 | MAX | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | -35.6% | -32.6% |
| 2023 | +12.1% | +54.9% |
| 2024 | +1.3% | +25.6% |
| 2025 | +14.7% | +20.8% |
| 2026 | -2.9% | +17.7% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are MAX and QQQ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.21 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
FAQ
What is the correlation between MAX and QQQ?
The MAX/QQQ correlation stands at 0.21 on a 3-year window (1 year: 0.23, 5 years: 0.23), computed from weekly returns as of 2026-08-27.
Is QQQ a good diversifier for MAX?
Yes, to a useful degree: a correlation of 0.21 leaves real independence between the two, which historically damped combined volatility.
What does a correlation of 0.21 mean?
A reading of 0.21 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: MAX correlations · QQQ correlations
