^DJUS vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

^DJUS (Dow Jones U.S. Index) is an index, while SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Over the past 10 years, ^DJUS returned 13.44%/yr vs -56.01%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.90, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

^DJUS vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Dow Jones U.S. Index (^DJUS) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ^DJUS achieves a 11.30% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -45.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ^DJUS has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 13.44%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.01% annualized return.

^DJUS

• 1D: 0.22%
• 1M: 5.33%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 6M: 11.51%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 20.99%
• 5Y*: 11.91%
• 10Y*: 13.44%

SQQQ

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -26.37%
• YTD: -45.27%
• 6M: -42.79%
• 1Y: -65.16%
• 3Y*: -56.19%
• 5Y*: -49.17%
• 10Y*: -56.01%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

^DJUS vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
^DJUS Dow Jones U.S. Index	11.30%	15.89%	22.77%	24.51%	-20.68%	24.80%	18.31%	28.62%	-6.76%	19.16%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-45.27%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ^DJUS and SQQQ is -0.94, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010	-0.90

The correlation between ^DJUS and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.94 to -0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

^DJUS vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

^DJUS

^DJUS Risk / Return Rank: 76
^DJUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
^DJUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
^DJUS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
^DJUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
^DJUS Martin Ratio Rank: 84

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 0
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 0
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 0
SQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 0

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

^DJUS vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Dow Jones U.S. Index (^DJUS) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	^DJUS	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.33	-1.37	+3.70
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.18	-2.63	+5.81
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	0.72	+0.70
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.13	-0.99	+4.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.33	-1.82	+16.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

^DJUS vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ^DJUS Sharpe Ratio is 2.33, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ^DJUS and SQQQ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	^DJUS	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.33	-1.37	+3.70
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	-0.74	+1.43
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	-0.85	+1.52
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.34	-0.88	+1.21

Drawdowns

^DJUS vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ^DJUS drawdown since its inception was -56.62%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ^DJUS and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	^DJUS	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-56.62%	-100.00%	+43.38%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.09%	-65.95%	+56.86%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.40%	-92.38%	+72.98%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.24%	-97.23%	+70.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.22%	-99.98%	+54.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-100.00%	+100.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.34%	-92.40%	+79.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	35.73%	-33.74%

Volatility

^DJUS vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Dow Jones U.S. Index (^DJUS) is 2.89%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 13.75%. This indicates that ^DJUS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	^DJUS	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.89%	13.75%	-10.86%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.10%	36.45%	-27.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.06%	47.79%	-35.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.27%	66.64%	-49.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.00%	66.11%	-46.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ^DJUS and SQQQ in my portfolio?

^DJUS and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.94, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ^DJUS or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (13.75%) compared to ^DJUS (2.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ^DJUS dropped -56.62% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

^DJUS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.33 vs -1.37), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.