PILL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

PILL (Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PILL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PILL returned -1.10%/yr vs 15.26%/yr for QQQ. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PILL charges 0.98%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PILL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PILL achieves a 50.23% return, which is significantly higher than QQQ's 15.19% return.

PILL

• 1D: -2.74%
• 1M: 36.93%
• 6M: 52.58%
• YTD: 50.23%
• 1Y: 218.71%
• 3Y*: 32.71%
• 5Y*: -1.10%
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -1.64%
• 1M: -3.17%
• 6M: 13.80%
• YTD: 15.19%
• 1Y: 27.28%
• 3Y*: 23.36%
• 5Y*: 15.26%
• 10Y*: 21.01%

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

PILL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	50.23%	75.14%	-7.26%	-12.06%	-43.16%	-37.33%	0.28%	19.26%	-21.15%	16.39%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	15.19%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	1.81%

Correlation

The correlation between PILL and QQQ is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.40
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 15, 2017	0.53

Over the past year, the correlation between PILL and QQQ has dropped to 0.32 - well below their long-term average of 0.53, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PILL vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PILL	QQQ
Healthcare	100.0%	3.7%
Basic Materials	-	1.0%
Communication Services	-	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	-	6.4%
Energy	-	0.5%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Industrials	-	2.6%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	58.7%
Utilities	-	1.2%

Return for Risk

PILL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PILL

PILL Risk / Return Rank: 93
PILL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PILL Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PILL Omega Ratio Rank: 86
PILL Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
PILL Martin Ratio Rank: 95

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 53
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 53
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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.

PILL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	PILL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	1.47	+1.96
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.43	2.00	+1.43
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.42	1.26	+0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	6.63	2.29	+4.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	21.65	8.13	+13.52

PILL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PILL Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is higher than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PILL and QQQ, 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

PILL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PILL drawdown since its inception was -88.76%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PILL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PILL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.76%	-82.97%	-5.79%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.21%	-11.96%	-21.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-60.43%	-22.77%	-37.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-83.26%	-35.12%	-48.14%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-48.53%	-5.29%	-43.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-58.46%	-32.66%	-25.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.15%	3.36%	+6.79%

Volatility

PILL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares (PILL) has a higher volatility of 21.20% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 7.53%. This indicates that PILL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PILL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.20%	7.53%	+13.67%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.25%	15.52%	+34.73%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	64.34%	18.69%	+45.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	61.09%	22.81%	+38.28%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	63.94%	22.44%	+41.50%

PILL vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PILL has a 0.98% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PILL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PILL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than QQQ's 0.43% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PILL Direxion Daily Pharmaceutical & Medical Bull 3X Shares	0.37%	0.69%	1.28%	1.83%	0.67%	0.00%	0.00%	0.38%	0.91%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.43%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PILL and QQQ in my portfolio?

PILL and QQQ have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PILL or QQQ?

PILL has higher volatility (21.20%) compared to QQQ (7.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PILL dropped -88.76% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, PILL or QQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQ leads with 15.26% vs -1.10% for PILL. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 7.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PILL or QQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 15.26% return vs -1.10%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PILL or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.98% for PILL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PILL or QQQ?

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.43%, compared with 0.37% for PILL.

What is the main difference between PILL and QQQ?

PILL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. PILL tracks Dynamic Pharmaceuticals Intellidex Index, while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.98% for PILL and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PILL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.42 vs 1.47), 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.