EFAD vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

EFAD (ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - EFAD is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Dividend Masters Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, EFAD returned 4.08%/yr vs -56.01%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.62, they often move in opposite directions. EFAD charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETF (EFAD) 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, EFAD achieves a 1.98% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -45.27% return. Over the past 10 years, EFAD has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 4.08%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.01% annualized return.

EFAD

• 1D: -0.94%
• 1M: 1.01%
• YTD: 1.98%
• 6M: 2.48%
• 1Y: 2.83%
• 3Y*: 6.48%
• 5Y*: 0.93%
• 10Y*: 4.08%

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)

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EFAD ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETF	1.98%	15.87%	-1.88%	11.91%	-21.34%	8.41%	8.75%	24.66%	-11.71%	22.14%
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 EFAD and SQQQ is -0.60, 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	-0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.56
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.63
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 22, 2014	-0.62

The correlation between EFAD and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.63 to -0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	EFAD	SQQQ
Healthcare	18.1%	-
Industrials	15.6%	-
Technology	15.5%	-
Financial Services	13.9%	97.1%
Consumer Defensive	9.8%	-
Basic Materials	8.7%	-
Utilities	8.4%	-
Communication Services	6.4%	-
Real Estate	3.6%	-
Energy	1.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-

Return for Risk

EFAD vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

EFAD

EFAD Risk / Return Rank: 12
EFAD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
EFAD Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
EFAD Omega Ratio Rank: 11
EFAD Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
EFAD Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETF (EFAD) 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.

	EFAD	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.21	-1.37	+1.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.39	-2.63	+3.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	0.72	+0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.28	-0.99	+1.27
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.92	-1.82	+2.74
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EFAD Sharpe Ratio is 0.21, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EFAD 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

	EFAD	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.21	-1.37	+1.58
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	-0.74	+0.81
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	-0.85	+1.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	-0.88	+1.05

Drawdowns

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EFAD drawdown since its inception was -35.74%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EFAD and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	EFAD	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.74%	-100.00%	+64.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.18%	-65.95%	+55.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.35%	-92.38%	+79.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.74%	-97.23%	+61.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.74%	-99.98%	+64.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.70%	-100.00%	+96.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.32%	-92.40%	+82.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	35.73%	-32.64%

Volatility

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETF (EFAD) is 3.94%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 13.75%. This indicates that EFAD 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

	EFAD	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.94%	13.75%	-9.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.67%	36.45%	-25.78%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.27%	47.79%	-34.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.39%	66.64%	-52.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.67%	66.11%	-50.44%

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

EFAD has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

EFAD vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

EFAD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.82%, less than SQQQ's 12.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EFAD ProShares MSCI EAFE Dividend Growers ETF	2.82%	2.83%	2.64%	2.29%	1.76%	2.98%	1.49%	2.05%	2.37%	2.42%	2.88%	1.94%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	12.48%	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

Can I hold both EFAD and SQQQ in my portfolio?

EFAD and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EFAD or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (13.75%) compared to EFAD (3.94%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EFAD dropped -35.74% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, EFAD or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, EFAD leads with 4.08% vs -56.01% for SQQQ. On fees, EFAD is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, EFAD has been the lower-risk option at 3.94%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, EFAD or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, EFAD has performed better with a 4.08% return vs -56.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, EFAD or SQQQ?

EFAD is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, EFAD or SQQQ?

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 12.48%, compared with 2.82% for EFAD.

What is the main difference between EFAD and SQQQ?

EFAD is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. EFAD tracks MSCI EAFE Dividend Masters Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.50% for EFAD and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

EFAD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.21 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.