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IYY vs. SQQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IYY vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

IYY (iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - IYY is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IYY returned 15.08%/yr vs -56.24%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.90, they often move in opposite directions. IYY charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

IYY vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) 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, IYY achieves a 8.34% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -40.31% return. Over the past 10 years, IYY has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 15.08%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.24% annualized return.

IYY

1D
-1.33%
1M
-1.01%
YTD
8.34%
6M
7.27%
1Y
23.31%
3Y*
20.53%
5Y*
12.11%
10Y*
15.08%

SQQQ

1D
9.83%
1M
-2.27%
YTD
-40.31%
6M
-37.80%
1Y
-61.11%
3Y*
-53.86%
5Y*
-46.89%
10Y*
-56.24%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IYY vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IYY
iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF		8.34%17.08%24.15%26.48%-19.57%26.38%20.10%30.78%-5.16%21.33%
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ		-40.31%-53.05%-49.79%-73.61%82.40%-60.87%-86.40%-65.92%-20.83%-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between IYY and SQQQ is -0.93, 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

-0.93

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 11, 2010

-0.90

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

IYY vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IYY
SQQQ

Technology

38.3%

-

Financial Services

11.2%
122.0%

Communication Services

10.1%

-

Consumer Cyclical

9.9%

-

Industrials

8.5%

-

Healthcare

8.4%

-

Consumer Defensive

4.4%

-

Energy

3.2%

-

Utilities

2.1%

-

Real Estate

2.0%

-

Basic Materials

1.9%

-

Technology

IYY
38.3%
SQQQ

-

Financial Services

IYY
11.2%
SQQQ
122.0%

Communication Services

IYY
10.1%
SQQQ

-

Consumer Cyclical

IYY
9.9%
SQQQ

-

Industrials

IYY
8.5%
SQQQ

-

Healthcare

IYY
8.4%
SQQQ

-

Consumer Defensive

IYY
4.4%
SQQQ

-

Energy

IYY
3.2%
SQQQ

-

Utilities

IYY
2.1%
SQQQ

-

Real Estate

IYY
2.0%
SQQQ

-

Basic Materials

IYY
1.9%
SQQQ

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ

Often compared with IYY:
IYY vs. DIAIYY vs. VOOIYY vs. VTIIYY vs. IYMIYY vs. QQQIYY vs. CIND.LIYY vs. SCHB
Often compared with SQQQ:
SQQQ vs. TQQQSQQQ vs. QQQSQQQ vs. PSQSQQQ vs. SOXSSQQQ vs. QIDSQQQ vs. SPXUSQQQ vs. UVXY

Return for Risk

IYY vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IYY
IYY Risk / Return Rank: 5858
Overall Rank
IYY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IYY Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
IYY Omega Ratio Rank: 5656
Omega Ratio Rank
IYY Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
IYY Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
Martin Ratio Rank
SQQQ
SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 11
Overall Rank
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 00
Sortino Ratio Rank
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 11
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.

IYY vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) 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.

IYYSQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.85
-1.14

+2.99

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.53
-2.07

+4.61

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.33

0.78

+0.56

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.62

-0.96

+3.58

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.61

-1.81

+13.42

IYY vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IYY Sharpe Ratio is 1.85, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IYY 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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Drawdowns

IYY vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IYY drawdown since its inception was -55.17%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IYY and SQQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

IYYSQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.17%

-100.00%

+44.83%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.94%

-63.52%

+54.58%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.06%

-92.51%

+73.45%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.46%

-97.27%

+71.81%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-34.90%

-99.98%

+65.08%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.04%

-100.00%

+96.96%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.82%

-92.73%

+81.91%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.01%

36.37%

-34.36%

Volatility

IYY vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF (IYY) is 4.98%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 26.69%. This indicates that IYY 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

IYYSQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.98%

26.69%

-21.71%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.01%

43.33%

-33.32%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.69%

53.65%

-40.96%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.23%

67.53%

-50.30%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.18%

66.47%

-48.29%

IYY vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IYY has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

IYY vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

IYY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.89%, less than SQQQ's 11.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IYY
iShares Dow Jones U.S. ETF		0.89%0.95%1.05%1.29%1.48%1.04%1.31%1.80%1.97%1.62%1.81%1.97%
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ		11.44%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

IYY and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.93, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SQQQ has higher volatility (26.69%) compared to IYY (4.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IYY dropped -55.17% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

On 10-year performance, IYY leads with 15.08% vs -56.24% for SQQQ. On fees, IYY is cheaper at 0.20% per year. On volatility, IYY has been the lower-risk option at 4.98%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IYY has performed better with a 15.08% return vs -56.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

IYY is cheaper with a 0.20% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 11.44%, compared with 0.89% for IYY.

IYY is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. IYY tracks Dow Jones U.S. Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for IYY and 0.95% for SQQQ.

IYY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.85 vs -1.14), 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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