MIDU vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MIDU (Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds - MIDU tracks the S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%) while QLD tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MIDU returned 11.92%/yr vs 36.10%/yr for QLD. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MIDU charges 1.06%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

MIDU vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MIDU achieves a 37.63% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 42.06% return. Over the past 10 years, MIDU has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 11.92%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 36.10% annualized return.

MIDU

• 1D: -0.19%
• 1M: 10.56%
• YTD: 37.63%
• 6M: 36.96%
• 1Y: 65.54%
• 3Y*: 26.41%
• 5Y*: 2.59%
• 10Y*: 11.92%

QLD

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 21.54%
• YTD: 42.06%
• 6M: 37.45%
• 1Y: 85.49%
• 3Y*: 50.15%
• 5Y*: 25.75%
• 10Y*: 36.10%

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

MIDU vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	37.63%	-2.75%	20.32%	27.79%	-49.27%	72.89%	-18.31%	77.38%	-39.21%	46.86%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	42.06%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between MIDU and QLD is 0.63, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 9, 2009	0.75

The correlation between MIDU and QLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.75 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

MIDU vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MIDU	QLD
Industrials	25.0%	2.8%
Technology	15.7%	53.8%
Financial Services	14.4%	0.2%
Consumer Cyclical	10.7%	12.3%
Healthcare	8.6%	4.2%
Real Estate	7.5%	0.1%
Energy	5.5%	0.6%
Basic Materials	4.8%	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	3.8%	7.7%
Utilities	3.1%	1.4%
Communication Services	1.0%	15.8%

Return for Risk

MIDU vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

MIDU

MIDU Risk / Return Rank: 43
MIDU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
MIDU Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
MIDU Omega Ratio Rank: 37
MIDU Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
MIDU Martin Ratio Rank: 50

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 69
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

MIDU vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). 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.

	MIDU	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.42	2.70	-1.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.04	3.16	-1.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.41	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.55	3.42	-0.87
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.47	11.92	-3.44
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MIDU vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MIDU Sharpe Ratio is 1.42, which is lower than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MIDU and QLD, 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

	MIDU	QLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.42	2.70	-1.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04	0.58	-0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.19	0.81	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.35	0.60	-0.25

Drawdowns

MIDU vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MIDU drawdown since its inception was -86.26%, roughly equal to the maximum QLD drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MIDU and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	MIDU	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.26%	-83.13%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.80%	-25.13%	-0.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.41%	-42.29%	-18.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-64.14%	-63.68%	-0.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-86.26%	-63.68%	-22.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.20%	-0.53%	-3.67%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.44%	-18.17%	-4.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.76%	7.20%	+0.56%

Volatility

MIDU vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares (MIDU) has a higher volatility of 12.93% compared to ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) at 8.90%. This indicates that MIDU's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MIDU	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.93%	8.90%	+4.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.72%	24.08%	+9.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	46.41%	31.85%	+14.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	59.44%	44.74%	+14.70%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.60%	44.56%	+19.04%

MIDU vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

MIDU has a 1.06% expense ratio, which is higher than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

MIDU vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

MIDU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.65%, more than QLD's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MIDU Direxion Daily Mid Cap Bull 3X Shares	0.65%	1.04%	1.10%	1.43%	0.11%	0.00%	0.06%	0.71%	0.70%	2.67%	1.89%	0.00%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.12%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MIDU and QLD in my portfolio?

MIDU and QLD have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MIDU or QLD?

MIDU has higher volatility (12.93%) compared to QLD (8.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MIDU dropped -86.26% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, MIDU or QLD?

On 10-year performance, QLD leads with 36.10% vs 11.92% for MIDU. On fees, QLD is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, QLD has been the lower-risk option at 8.90%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MIDU or QLD?

Over the 10-year period, QLD has performed better with a 36.10% return vs 11.92%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MIDU or QLD?

QLD is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.06% for MIDU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MIDU or QLD?

MIDU has the higher dividend yield at 0.65%, compared with 0.12% for QLD.

What is the main difference between MIDU and QLD?

MIDU tracks S&P MidCap 400 Index (300%), while QLD tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.06% for MIDU and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 1.42), 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.