PEX vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PEX (ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - PEX is a Financials Equities fund tracking the LPX Direct Listed Private Equity Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PEX returned 4.13%/yr vs -56.01%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.52, they often move in opposite directions. PEX charges 3.13%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

PEX vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) 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, PEX achieves a -12.48% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -45.27% return. Over the past 10 years, PEX has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 4.13%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.01% annualized return.

PEX

• 1D: -2.88%
• 1M: -5.57%
• YTD: -12.48%
• 6M: -10.90%
• 1Y: -12.90%
• 3Y*: 3.61%
• 5Y*: -1.12%
• 10Y*: 4.13%

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)

PEX vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	-12.48%	0.21%	13.05%	23.11%	-25.98%	28.34%	-1.14%	25.53%	-13.31%	14.33%
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 PEX and SQQQ is -0.51, 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	-0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2013	-0.52

The correlation between PEX and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.61 to -0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

PEX vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PEX	SQQQ
Financial Services	96.7%	97.1%
Industrials	1.5%	-
Healthcare	1.5%	-
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PEX vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PEX

PEX Risk / Return Rank: 3
PEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
PEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
PEX Omega Ratio Rank: 3
PEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
PEX Martin Ratio Rank: 4

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.

PEX vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) 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.

	PEX	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.83	-1.37	+0.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.09	-2.63	+1.54
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.88	0.72	+0.15
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.52	-0.99	+0.47
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.06	-1.82	+0.77
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PEX vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PEX Sharpe Ratio is -0.83, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PEX 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

	PEX	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.83	-1.37	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.06	-0.74	+0.68
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21	-0.85	+1.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.25	-0.88	+1.13

Drawdowns

PEX vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PEX drawdown since its inception was -49.17%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PEX and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PEX	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-49.17%	-100.00%	+50.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-24.72%	-65.95%	+41.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-24.72%	-92.38%	+67.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.58%	-97.23%	+60.65%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.17%	-99.98%	+50.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-20.90%	-100.00%	+79.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.21%	-92.40%	+84.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	12.22%	35.73%	-23.51%

Volatility

PEX vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF (PEX) is 4.81%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 13.75%. This indicates that PEX 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

	PEX	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	13.75%	-8.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.05%	36.45%	-23.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.61%	47.79%	-32.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.96%	66.64%	-48.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.44%	66.11%	-46.67%

PEX vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PEX has a 3.13% expense ratio, which is higher than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

PEX vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

PEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.81%, more than SQQQ's 12.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PEX ProShares Global Listed Private Equity ETF	12.81%	12.80%	14.11%	13.02%	1.77%	13.64%	5.52%	7.94%	4.72%	24.26%	3.24%	12.50%
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%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PEX and SQQQ in my portfolio?

PEX and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PEX or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (13.75%) compared to PEX (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PEX dropped -49.17% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, PEX or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, PEX leads with 4.13% vs -56.01% for SQQQ. On fees, SQQQ is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, PEX has been the lower-risk option at 4.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PEX or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, PEX has performed better with a 4.13% return vs -56.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PEX or SQQQ?

SQQQ is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 3.13% for PEX.

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

PEX has the higher dividend yield at 12.81%, compared with 12.48% for SQQQ.

What is the main difference between PEX and SQQQ?

PEX is categorized as Financials Equities, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. PEX tracks LPX Direct Listed Private Equity Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 3.13% for PEX and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.83 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.