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BND vs. SQQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BND vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, BND returned 1.53%/yr vs -55.68%/yr for SQQQ. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. BND charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

BND vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BND achieves a -0.07% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -39.28% return. Over the past 10 years, BND has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 1.53%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -55.68% annualized return.

BND

1D
-0.03%
1M
-0.67%
YTD
-0.07%
6M
0.23%
1Y
4.87%
3Y*
3.89%
5Y*
-0.05%
10Y*
1.53%

SQQQ

1D
-4.47%
1M
-3.08%
YTD
-39.28%
6M
-36.43%
1Y
-60.85%
3Y*
-54.68%
5Y*
-47.98%
10Y*
-55.68%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BND vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF		-0.07%7.08%1.38%5.65%-13.11%-1.86%7.71%8.84%-0.12%3.57%
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ		-39.28%-53.05%-49.79%-73.61%82.40%-60.87%-86.40%-65.92%-20.83%-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between BND and SQQQ is -0.25, 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

-0.25

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.18

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.17

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.08

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010

0.06

The correlation between BND and SQQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ

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Often compared with SQQQ:
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Return for Risk

BND vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BND
BND Risk / Return Rank: 4040
Overall Rank
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
Martin Ratio Rank
SQQQ
SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 00
Overall Rank
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 00
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 00
Sortino Ratio Rank
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 00
Omega Ratio Rank
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
Calmar Ratio Rank
SQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 00
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

BND vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) 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.

BNDSQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.32
-1.22

+2.54

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.96
-2.26

+4.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

0.76

+0.47

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.83

-0.93

+2.76

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.43

-1.69

+7.12

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BND vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BND Sharpe Ratio is 1.32, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BND 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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

BNDSQQQDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.32

-1.22

+2.54

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.01

-0.72

+0.71

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.28

-0.84

+1.12

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.58

-0.87

+1.45

Drawdowns

BND vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BND drawdown since its inception was -18.58%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BND and SQQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

BNDSQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-18.58%

-100.00%

+81.42%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.68%

-65.71%

+63.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-5.92%

-92.38%

+86.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.91%

-97.23%

+79.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-18.58%

-99.98%

+81.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.70%

-100.00%

+97.30%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.06%

-92.40%

+89.34%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.90%

35.98%

-35.08%

Volatility

BND vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is 1.20%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 19.65%. This indicates that BND 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.

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Volatility by Period

BNDSQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.20%

19.65%

-18.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.69%

39.23%

-36.54%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.72%

50.16%

-46.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.02%

66.95%

-60.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.53%

66.30%

-60.77%

BND vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

BND has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BND vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

BND's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, less than SQQQ's 11.25% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF		3.98%3.86%3.67%3.09%2.60%2.12%2.38%2.72%2.81%2.54%2.51%2.57%
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ		11.25%9.36%10.23%8.01%0.28%0.00%2.15%2.92%1.47%0.14%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

BND and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SQQQ has higher volatility (19.65%) compared to BND (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BND dropped -18.58% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

On 10-year performance, BND leads with 1.53% vs -55.68% for SQQQ. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 1.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, BND has performed better with a 1.53% return vs -55.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 11.25%, compared with 3.98% for BND.

BND is categorized as Total Bond Market, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. BND tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for BND and 0.95% for SQQQ.

BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -1.22), 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.

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