BZQ vs. IFED

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

BZQ (ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped) and IFED (ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN) are both Leveraged Equities funds - BZQ tracks the MSCI Brazil 25-50 (-200%) while IFED tracks the IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, BZQ returned -21.88%/yr vs 14.75%/yr for IFED. At a correlation of -0.38, they often move in opposite directions. BZQ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for IFED.

Performance

BZQ vs. IFED - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped (BZQ) and ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BZQ achieves a -26.41% return, which is significantly lower than IFED's -2.92% return.

BZQ

• 1D: 3.58%
• 1M: -5.36%
• 6M: -18.84%
• YTD: -26.41%
• 1Y: -49.60%
• 3Y*: -21.88%
• 5Y*: -23.87%
• 10Y*: -34.51%

IFED

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: -0.83%
• 6M: -2.70%
• YTD: -2.92%
• 1Y: 0.79%
• 3Y*: 14.75%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

BZQ vs. IFED - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
BZQ ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped	-26.41%	-57.90%	98.84%	-49.11%	-44.20%	22.80%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	-2.92%	15.02%	23.04%	20.78%	-1.46%	8.46%

Correlation

The correlation between BZQ and IFED is -0.29, 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	-0.29
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 15, 2021	-0.38

Return for Risk

BZQ vs. IFED — Risk / Return Rank

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

BZQ

BZQ Risk / Return Rank: 2
BZQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
BZQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
BZQ Omega Ratio Rank: 2
BZQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
BZQ Martin Ratio Rank: 4

IFED

IFED Risk / Return Rank: 10
IFED Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Omega Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
IFED Martin Ratio Rank: 10

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.

BZQ vs. IFED - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped (BZQ) and ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BZQ	IFED	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.00	0.04	-1.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.56	0.19	-1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.83	1.02	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.76	0.05	-0.82
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.14	0.13	-1.27

BZQ vs. IFED - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BZQ Sharpe Ratio is -1.00, which is lower than the IFED Sharpe Ratio of 0.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BZQ and IFED, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BZQ vs. IFED - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BZQ drawdown since its inception was -99.82%, which is greater than IFED's maximum drawdown of -22.36%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BZQ and IFED.

Drawdown Indicators

	BZQ	IFED	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.82%	-22.36%	-77.46%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-65.20%	-14.65%	-50.55%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-77.31%	-22.36%	-54.95%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-88.65%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.94%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.76%	-4.91%	-94.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-84.62%	-5.83%	-78.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	43.47%	6.04%	+37.43%

Volatility

BZQ vs. IFED - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped (BZQ) has a higher volatility of 12.02% compared to ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN (IFED) at 6.87%. This indicates that BZQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IFED based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BZQ	IFED	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.02%	6.87%	+5.15%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	39.97%	15.11%	+24.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	49.98%	17.72%	+32.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	55.14%	20.00%	+35.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.57%	20.00%	+46.57%

BZQ vs. IFED - Expense Ratio Comparison

BZQ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than IFED's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

BZQ vs. IFED - Dividend Comparison

BZQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.50%, while IFED has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BZQ ProShares UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped	7.50%	5.96%	3.26%	4.51%	0.22%	0.00%	0.21%	2.13%	0.28%
IFED ETRACS IFED Invest with the Fed TR Index ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BZQ and IFED in my portfolio?

BZQ and IFED have a correlation of -0.29, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, BZQ or IFED?

BZQ has higher volatility (12.02%) compared to IFED (6.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BZQ dropped -99.82% vs IFED's -22.36%.

Which ETF is better, BZQ or IFED?

On 3-year performance, IFED leads with 14.75% vs -21.88% for BZQ. On fees, IFED is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, IFED has been the lower-risk option at 6.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, BZQ or IFED?

Over the 3-year period, IFED has performed better with a 14.75% return vs -21.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, BZQ or IFED?

IFED is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for BZQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, BZQ or IFED?

BZQ has the higher dividend yield at 7.50%, compared with 0.00% for IFED.

What is the main difference between BZQ and IFED?

BZQ tracks MSCI Brazil 25-50 (-200%), while IFED tracks IFED Large-Cap US Equity Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and UBS. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for BZQ and 0.45% for IFED.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFED currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.04 vs -1.00), 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.