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LQD vs. TQQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

LQD vs. TQQQ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

LQD (iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF) and TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - LQD is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the iBoxx $ Liquid Investment Grade Index, while TQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, LQD returned 2.41%/yr vs 43.95%/yr for TQQQ. At a 0.11 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. LQD charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TQQQ.

Performance

LQD vs. TQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, LQD achieves a -0.06% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 44.91% return. Over the past 10 years, LQD has underperformed TQQQ with an annualized return of 2.41%, while TQQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 43.95% annualized return.

LQD

1D
-0.10%
1M
-0.67%
YTD
-0.06%
6M
-0.06%
1Y
5.73%
3Y*
4.95%
5Y*
-0.28%
10Y*
2.41%

TQQQ

1D
4.41%
1M
-0.01%
YTD
44.91%
6M
37.12%
1Y
106.99%
3Y*
62.78%
5Y*
24.89%
10Y*
43.95%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

LQD vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
LQD
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF		-0.06%7.90%0.86%9.40%-17.92%-1.84%10.97%17.37%-3.79%7.06%
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ		44.91%34.35%58.27%198.04%-79.09%82.98%110.05%133.84%-19.79%118.06%

Correlation

The correlation between LQD and TQQQ is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.34

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

0.27

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

0.30

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

0.24

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010

0.11

Over the past year, LQD and TQQQ have become more correlated (0.34) than their long-term average of 0.11, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF

ProShares UltraPro QQQ

Often compared with LQD:
LQD vs. HYGLQD vs. VCITLQD vs. IEFLQD vs. TLTLQD vs. VCLTLQD vs. LQDWLQD vs. LQDH
Often compared with TQQQ:
TQQQ vs. QQQTQQQ vs. SOXLTQQQ vs. QLDTQQQ vs. SQQQTQQQ vs. SPXLTQQQ vs. UPROTQQQ vs. TECL

Return for Risk

LQD vs. TQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
LQD
LQD Risk / Return Rank: 3434
Overall Rank
LQD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3232
Sharpe Ratio Rank
LQD Sortino Ratio Rank: 3232
Sortino Ratio Rank
LQD Omega Ratio Rank: 3030
Omega Ratio Rank
LQD Calmar Ratio Rank: 3838
Calmar Ratio Rank
LQD Martin Ratio Rank: 3535
Martin Ratio Rank
TQQQ
TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 6363
Overall Rank
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7474
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5757
Sortino Ratio Rank
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 6060
Omega Ratio Rank
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
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.

LQD vs. TQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). 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.

LQDTQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.08
2.16

-1.08

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.58
2.45

-0.87

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.19

1.33

-0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.72

2.91

-1.19

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.88

9.45

-4.57

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

LQD vs. TQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current LQD Sharpe Ratio is 1.08, which is lower than the TQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of LQD and TQQQ, 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

LQDTQQQDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.08

2.16

-1.08

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.03

0.37

-0.41

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.28

0.67

-0.39

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.54

0.72

-0.18

Drawdowns

LQD vs. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum LQD drawdown since its inception was -24.95%, smaller than the maximum TQQQ drawdown of -81.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for LQD and TQQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

LQDTQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.95%

-81.66%

+56.71%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-3.34%

-36.97%

+33.63%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-8.43%

-58.04%

+49.61%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.95%

-81.66%

+56.71%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.95%

-81.66%

+56.71%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.21%

-12.55%

+8.34%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.99%

-18.52%

+14.53%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.18%

11.36%

-10.18%

Volatility

LQD vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) is 1.62%, while ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) has a volatility of 20.84%. This indicates that LQD experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

LQDTQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.62%

20.84%

-19.22%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.94%

39.54%

-35.60%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

5.32%

49.94%

-44.62%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

8.65%

66.84%

-58.19%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

8.68%

66.15%

-57.47%

LQD vs. TQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

LQD has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than TQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

LQD vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison

LQD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.59%, more than TQQQ's 0.41% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
LQD
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF		4.59%4.48%4.45%3.99%3.30%2.30%2.66%3.29%3.67%3.10%3.34%3.47%
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ		0.41%0.65%1.27%1.26%0.57%0.00%0.00%0.06%0.11%0.00%0.00%0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

LQD and TQQQ have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

TQQQ has higher volatility (20.84%) compared to LQD (1.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, LQD dropped -24.95% vs TQQQ's -81.66%.

On 10-year performance, TQQQ leads with 43.95% vs 2.41% for LQD. On fees, LQD is cheaper at 0.15% per year. On volatility, LQD has been the lower-risk option at 1.62%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 43.95% return vs 2.41%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

LQD is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TQQQ.

LQD has the higher dividend yield at 4.59%, compared with 0.41% for TQQQ.

LQD is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while TQQQ is Leveraged Equities. LQD tracks iBoxx $ Liquid Investment Grade Index, while TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for LQD and 0.95% for TQQQ.

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 1.08), 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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