Nasdaq 100 ETF, 15 Years of Recurring Investing
What if you had invested about $220 per month in a Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ) starting in 2011?
What does this scenario show?
Investment period · Jul 2011 – Jul 2026 (15 years)
Investment method · Recurring investment of about $220 per month
Target asset · Nasdaq 100 ETF (QQQ)
Annualized return of about 16% (estimate), MDD -35%
Key results
Values verified by the operator against past data.
Sum of principal contributed during the investment period
Valuation at the end date
Personal return that reflects your investment timing
Risk & recovery metrics
These are the declines you actually had to endure during long-term investing. We do not hide this part.
Maximum drawdown (MDD)
-35.1%
Largest decline from the peak
Longest loss duration
26 months
Longest continuous stretch below principal
Recovery period
28 months
Time to regain the previous peak
What if you had stopped partway?
This is the estimated result of recurring purchases of the Nasdaq 100 over 15 years. You had to endure a drawdown of more than -35% in the 2022 down market, but the subsequent recovery produced a high cumulative return. Figures are estimates and may differ from actual calculation results.
If you stop investing during a decline, you lose both the chance to lower your average purchase price and the gains from the subsequent rebound. That said, there is no guarantee this result repeats for every asset and every period.
Data sources and limitations
- Based on adjusted close (dividends and splits reflected); FX effect not reflected. Figures are estimates.
- Based on adjusted close (dividends and splits reflected); unless otherwise noted, the exchange rate (FX effect) is not reflected.
- Trading fees and taxes are not reflected. Your actual after-tax return is lower than this.
- This is a result based on past data and does not guarantee future returns.
📋 Results are based on historical data; past returns do not guarantee future returns.
📋 This service is provided for educational purposes to help you understand investing, not as investment advice.