ISPY vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

ISPY (ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - ISPY is a Derivative Income fund tracking the S&P 500 Daily Covered Call Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ISPY returned 19.35% vs -56.67% for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.91, they often move in opposite directions. ISPY charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY) 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, ISPY achieves a 9.52% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -41.78% return.

ISPY

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 0.30%
• 6M: 8.15%
• YTD: 9.52%
• 1Y: 19.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SQQQ

• 1D: 0.80%
• 1M: 8.96%
• 6M: -40.42%
• YTD: -41.78%
• 1Y: -56.67%
• 3Y*: -52.19%
• 5Y*: -46.41%
• 10Y*: -55.39%

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

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ISPY ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF	9.52%	13.15%	21.31%	0.35%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-41.78%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-0.05%

Correlation

The correlation between ISPY and SQQQ is -0.91, 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	-0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 20, 2023	-0.91

The correlation between ISPY and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.91 to -0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ISPY	SQQQ
Technology	31.8%	-
Financial Services	20.6%	109.1%
Communication Services	8.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	-
Healthcare	7.8%	-
Industrials	6.7%	-
Consumer Defensive	3.9%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Energy	1.8%	-
Basic Materials	1.6%	-
Real Estate	1.6%	-

Return for Risk

ISPY vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISPY

ISPY Risk / Return Rank: 58
ISPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
ISPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ISPY Omega Ratio Rank: 57
ISPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ISPY Martin Ratio Rank: 64

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 1
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
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.

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY) 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.

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.

	ISPY	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.58	-1.02	+2.60
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.12	-1.71	+3.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	0.82	+0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	-0.93	+3.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.17	-1.71	+10.88

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISPY Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISPY 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.

Drawdowns

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISPY drawdown since its inception was -16.88%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISPY and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISPY	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.88%	-100.00%	+83.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.43%	-61.03%	+52.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-92.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-97.27%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.79%	-100.00%	+99.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.08%	-92.76%	+90.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	33.18%	-31.06%

Volatility

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF (ISPY) is 4.21%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 24.13%. This indicates that ISPY 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

	ISPY	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	24.13%	-19.92%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.91%	45.92%	-36.01%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.30%	55.62%	-43.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.72%	67.88%	-54.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.72%	66.56%	-52.84%

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

ISPY has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

ISPY vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

ISPY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.62%, less than SQQQ's 10.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISPY ProShares S&P 500 High Income ETF	4.62%	8.56%	9.84%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	10.26%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISPY and SQQQ in my portfolio?

ISPY and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.91, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ISPY or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (24.13%) compared to ISPY (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ISPY dropped -16.88% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, ISPY or SQQQ?

On 1-year performance, ISPY leads with 19.35% vs -56.67% for SQQQ. On fees, ISPY is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, ISPY has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ISPY or SQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, ISPY has performed better with a 19.35% return vs -56.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ISPY or SQQQ?

ISPY is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.26%, compared with 4.62% for ISPY.

What is the main difference between ISPY and SQQQ?

ISPY is categorized as Derivative Income, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. ISPY tracks S&P 500 Daily Covered Call Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.55% for ISPY and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ISPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.58 vs -1.02), 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.