PAWZ vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 8, 2026

PAWZ (ProShares Pet Care ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - PAWZ is a Global Equities fund tracking the FactSet Pet Care Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PAWZ returned -9.18%/yr vs -45.93%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.65, they often move in opposite directions. PAWZ charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Pet Care ETF (PAWZ) 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, PAWZ achieves a -10.10% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -39.62% return.

PAWZ

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 3.89%
• 6M: -11.01%
• YTD: -10.10%
• 1Y: -15.01%
• 3Y*: 0.04%
• 5Y*: -9.18%
• 10Y*: —

SQQQ

• 1D: 5.49%
• 1M: -5.01%
• 6M: -36.96%
• YTD: -39.62%
• 1Y: -56.06%
• 3Y*: -53.24%
• 5Y*: -45.93%
• 10Y*: -55.41%

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

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
PAWZ ProShares Pet Care ETF	-10.10%	1.21%	3.88%	12.47%	-40.08%	10.46%	61.69%	22.95%	-8.52%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-39.62%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	20.12%

Correlation

The correlation between PAWZ and SQQQ is -0.30, 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	-0.30
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.44
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 6, 2018	-0.65

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between PAWZ and SQQQ has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.65 to -0.30, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PAWZ	SQQQ
Healthcare	30.8%	-
Consumer Defensive	17.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	13.7%	-
Financial Services	5.0%	109.1%
Basic Materials	4.7%	-
Technology	4.3%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Energy	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PAWZ vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PAWZ

PAWZ Risk / Return Rank: 2
PAWZ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
PAWZ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
PAWZ Omega Ratio Rank: 2
PAWZ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
PAWZ Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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.

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Pet Care ETF (PAWZ) 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.

	PAWZ	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.89	-1.02	+0.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.21	-1.70	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.86	0.82	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.71	-0.92	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.54	-1.75	+0.21

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAWZ Sharpe Ratio is -0.89, which is comparable to the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.02. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAWZ 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

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAWZ drawdown since its inception was -50.07%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAWZ and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAWZ	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.07%	-100.00%	+49.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.10%	-61.05%	+39.95%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.12%	-92.51%	+69.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-50.07%	-97.27%	+47.20%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-40.19%	-100.00%	+59.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.77%	-92.75%	+69.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.75%	32.09%	-22.34%

Volatility

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Pet Care ETF (PAWZ) is 5.29%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 29.66%. This indicates that PAWZ 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

	PAWZ	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.29%	29.66%	-24.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.31%	45.39%	-33.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.01%	55.10%	-38.09%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.28%	67.80%	-47.52%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.64%	66.53%	-44.89%

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAWZ has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAWZ vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

PAWZ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.71%, less than SQQQ's 9.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PAWZ ProShares Pet Care ETF	0.71%	0.81%	0.63%	0.44%	0.54%	0.18%	0.14%	0.35%	0.07%	0.00%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	9.89%	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 PAWZ and SQQQ in my portfolio?

PAWZ and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAWZ or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (29.66%) compared to PAWZ (5.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAWZ dropped -50.07% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, PAWZ or SQQQ?

On 5-year performance, PAWZ leads with -9.18% vs -45.93% for SQQQ. On fees, PAWZ is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, PAWZ has been the lower-risk option at 5.29%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAWZ or SQQQ?

Over the 5-year period, PAWZ has performed better with a -9.18% return vs -45.93%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAWZ or SQQQ?

PAWZ is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.89%, compared with 0.71% for PAWZ.

What is the main difference between PAWZ and SQQQ?

PAWZ is categorized as Global Equities, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. PAWZ tracks FactSet Pet Care Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.50% for PAWZ and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAWZ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.89 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.