PLTU vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PLTU (Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X Shares) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PLTU is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by Direxion, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. PLTU is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past year, PLTU returned -21.46% vs 41.82% for QQQ. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PLTU charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

PLTU vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X Shares (PLTU) 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, PLTU achieves a -46.71% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

PLTU

• 1D: -13.03%
• 1M: -9.11%
• YTD: -46.71%
• 6M: -46.12%
• 1Y: -21.46%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

PLTU vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
PLTU Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X Shares	-46.71%	223.17%	6.41%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	-3.37%

Correlation

The correlation between PLTU and QQQ is 0.50, 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	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2024	0.58

The correlation between PLTU and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.50 to 0.58 - a consistent structural relationship.

PLTU vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PLTU	QQQ
Technology	100.0%	53.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

PLTU vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

PLTU

PLTU Risk / Return Rank: 8
PLTU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
PLTU Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
PLTU Omega Ratio Rank: 11
PLTU Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
PLTU Martin Ratio Rank: 6

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

PLTU vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X Shares (PLTU) 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.

	PLTU	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.21	2.64	-2.85
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.40	3.45	-3.05
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.45	-0.40
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.32	3.51	-3.83
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.54	13.49	-14.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PLTU vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLTU Sharpe Ratio is -0.21, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLTU 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PLTU	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.21	2.64	-2.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.40	0.41	-0.01

Drawdowns

PLTU vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLTU drawdown since its inception was -69.14%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLTU and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	PLTU	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.14%	-82.97%	+13.83%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-68.10%	-11.96%	-56.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.77%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.95%	-0.26%	-62.69%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.90%	-32.79%	+0.89%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	39.45%	3.11%	+36.34%

Volatility

PLTU vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X Shares (PLTU) has a higher volatility of 36.67% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that PLTU'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

	PLTU	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	36.67%	4.49%	+32.18%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	77.36%	12.10%	+65.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	103.08%	15.94%	+87.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	127.24%	22.38%	+104.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	127.24%	22.29%	+104.95%

PLTU vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLTU has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLTU vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

PLTU's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 44.62%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PLTU Direxion Daily PLTR Bull 2X Shares	44.62%	23.29%	0.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	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 PLTU and QQQ in my portfolio?

PLTU and QQQ have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PLTU or QQQ?

PLTU has higher volatility (36.67%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLTU dropped -69.14% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, PLTU or QQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQQ leads with 41.82% vs -21.46% for PLTU. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PLTU or QQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 41.82% return vs -21.46%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PLTU or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.97% for PLTU.

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

PLTU has the higher dividend yield at 44.62%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between PLTU and QQQ?

PLTU is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: Direxion and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.97% for PLTU and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs -0.21), 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.