PACB vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PACB (Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.) is a stock, while SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Over the past 10 years, PACB returned -16.34%/yr vs -56.01%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.38, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

PACB vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (PACB) 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, PACB achieves a -15.51% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -45.27% return. Over the past 10 years, PACB has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of -16.34%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.01% annualized return.

PACB

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.94%
• YTD: -15.51%
• 6M: -34.98%
• 1Y: 50.48%
• 3Y*: -51.07%
• 5Y*: -42.94%
• 10Y*: -16.34%

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)

PACB vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PACB Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.	-15.51%	2.19%	-81.35%	19.93%	-60.02%	-21.13%	404.67%	-30.54%	180.30%	-30.53%
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 PACB and SQQQ is -0.35, 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	-0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2010	-0.38

The correlation between PACB and SQQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.46 (5 years) to -0.33 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PACB vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PACB

PACB Risk / Return Rank: 60
PACB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
PACB Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
PACB Omega Ratio Rank: 58
PACB Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
PACB Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

PACB vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (PACB) 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.

	PACB	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.57	-1.37	+1.94
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.45	-2.63	+4.08
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	0.72	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.87	-0.99	+1.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.71	-1.82	+3.53
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PACB vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PACB Sharpe Ratio is 0.57, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PACB 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

	PACB	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57	-1.37	+1.94
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.46	-0.74	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.19	-0.85	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.17	-0.88	+0.71

Drawdowns

PACB vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PACB drawdown since its inception was -98.22%, roughly equal to the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PACB and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PACB	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.22%	-100.00%	+1.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-58.05%	-65.95%	+7.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-93.52%	-92.38%	-1.14%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.47%	-97.23%	-0.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.22%	-99.98%	+1.76%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.91%	-100.00%	+3.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-70.50%	-92.40%	+21.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.66%	35.73%	-6.07%

Volatility

PACB vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc. (PACB) has a higher volatility of 27.68% compared to ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) at 13.75%. This indicates that PACB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PACB	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	27.68%	13.75%	+13.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	56.30%	36.45%	+19.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	89.27%	47.79%	+41.48%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	94.33%	66.64%	+27.69%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	84.65%	66.11%	+18.54%

Dividends

PACB vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

PACB has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.48%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PACB Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PACB and SQQQ in my portfolio?

PACB and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PACB or SQQQ?

PACB has higher volatility (27.68%) compared to SQQQ (13.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PACB dropped -98.22% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PACB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.57 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.