MRK vs QQQ: Correlation
How closely do Merck & Co. (MRK) and Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) trade together? Their weekly returns over three years give a correlation of 0.02, which is near-zero.
Data as of 2026-08-27 · refreshed every trading day · weekly returns · methodology
How correlated are MRK and QQQ?
Over the past 3 years, MRK and QQQ moved with a correlation of 0.02, which is near zero, meaning they move largely independently. The link has loosened recently: the 1-year correlation (-0.27) runs below the 3-year figure (0.02). Over 5 years the correlation is -0.00, and the annualized covariance of weekly returns is 13.5 %².
By 3-year correlation, QQQ places #24 of the 34 assets tracked against MRK. Correlation aside, the last 12 months split them widely, with MRK ahead by 57.5 points (+83.8% versus +26.3%). This link changes with the market regime, having swung between -0.34 and 0.34 on a rolling one-year basis.
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.
MRK vs QQQ: side by side
| MRK (Merck & Co.) | QQQ (Invesco QQQ Trust) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year return | +83.8% | +26.3% |
| 5-year return | +128.5% | +95.4% |
| Volatility (ann.) | 27.9% | 19.6% |
| Beta vs S&P 500 | 0.28 | 1.28 |
| Max drawdown (3Y) | -43.4% | -22.8% |
| Market cap | $368.9B | – |
| P/E (trailing) | 121.6 | – |
| Dividend yield | 2.17% | 0.44% |
| Expense ratio | – | 0.18% |
| Assets under management | – | $452.8B |
| Sector / category | Health Care | 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 | MRK | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | +49.4% | -32.6% |
| 2023 | +1.0% | +54.9% |
| 2024 | -6.3% | +25.6% |
| 2025 | +9.8% | +20.8% |
| 2026 | +44.1% | +17.7% |
Calendar-year price returns; the current year is year-to-date as of the data date above.
Are MRK and QQQ good diversifiers for each other?
Yes: at 0.02, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
FAQ
What is the correlation between MRK and QQQ?
As of 2026-08-27, the correlation of weekly returns between MRK and QQQ is 0.02 over 3 years, -0.27 over 1 year and -0.00 over 5 years.
Is QQQ a good diversifier for MRK?
Yes: at 0.02, the two have gone their own ways historically, which is what genuine diversification looks like.
What does a correlation of 0.02 mean?
Correlation ranges from −1 to +1. Values near +1 mean two assets move together, near 0 that they move independently, and negative values that they tend to move in opposite directions. It measures co-movement, not performance.
Use this data
$ curl https://www.pairbook.io/api/v1/pairs/mrk-vs-qqq.json
Embed this badge (it refreshes with the data), with attribution:
[](https://www.pairbook.io/pair/mrk-vs-qqq/)
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Related comparisons
Hubs: MRK correlations · QQQ correlations
