PSL vs. QQQA

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

PSL (Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF) and QQQA (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - PSL is a Momentum fund tracking the DWA Consumer Staples Technical Leaders Index, while QQQA is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PSL returned 4.59%/yr vs 13.98%/yr for QQQA. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PSL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.58%/yr for QQQA.

Performance

PSL vs. QQQA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF (PSL) and ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PSL achieves a 11.21% return, which is significantly lower than QQQA's 62.20% return.

PSL

• 1D: 0.43%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 11.21%
• 6M: 9.38%
• 1Y: 1.20%
• 3Y*: 9.94%
• 5Y*: 4.59%
• 10Y*: 8.21%

QQQA

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: 9.62%
• YTD: 62.20%
• 6M: 58.27%
• 1Y: 82.44%
• 3Y*: 32.99%
• 5Y*: 13.98%
• 10Y*: —

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

PSL vs. QQQA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
PSL Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF	11.21%	-3.47%	15.42%	12.32%	-7.76%	-0.36%
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	62.20%	9.87%	16.17%	24.98%	-29.08%	9.84%

Correlation

The correlation between PSL and QQQA is 0.06, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2021	0.46

Over the past year, the correlation between PSL and QQQA has dropped to 0.06 - well below their long-term average of 0.46, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

PSL vs. QQQA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	PSL	QQQA
Consumer Defensive	86.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.6%	3.3%
Financial Services	1.8%	-
Industrials	1.4%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	6.7%
Energy	-	6.0%
Healthcare	-	5.4%
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	78.6%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

PSL vs. QQQA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PSL

PSL Risk / Return Rank: 10
PSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
PSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
PSL Omega Ratio Rank: 9
PSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
PSL Martin Ratio Rank: 10

QQQA

QQQA Risk / Return Rank: 88
QQQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
QQQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
QQQA Omega Ratio Rank: 84
QQQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
QQQA Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

PSL vs. QQQA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF (PSL) and ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA). 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.

	PSL	QQQA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.09	2.74	-2.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.21	3.21	-3.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.45	-0.42
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.09	5.70	-5.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.19	20.29	-20.10

PSL vs. QQQA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PSL Sharpe Ratio is 0.09, which is lower than the QQQA Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PSL and QQQA, 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

PSL vs. QQQA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PSL drawdown since its inception was -41.58%, which is greater than QQQA's maximum drawdown of -38.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PSL and QQQA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PSL	QQQA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.58%	-38.44%	-3.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.64%	-14.54%	+0.90%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.64%	-30.84%	+17.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.45%	-38.44%	+18.99%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.67%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.60%	-7.30%	+2.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.81%	-15.54%	+9.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.20%	4.08%	+2.12%

Volatility

PSL vs. QQQA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF (PSL) is 4.44%, while ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) has a volatility of 17.19%. This indicates that PSL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QQQA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PSL	QQQA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.44%	17.19%	-12.75%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	26.69%	-17.49%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.11%	30.24%	-17.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.17%	26.72%	-11.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.51%	26.54%	-10.03%

PSL vs. QQQA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PSL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQA's 0.58% expense ratio.

Dividends

PSL vs. QQQA - Dividend Comparison

PSL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, more than QQQA's 0.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PSL Invesco DWA Consumer Staples Momentum ETF	0.75%	0.93%	0.60%	1.37%	1.98%	1.24%	0.80%	0.47%	0.75%	0.34%	2.08%	1.18%
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	0.06%	0.10%	0.09%	0.34%	0.28%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PSL and QQQA in my portfolio?

PSL and QQQA have a correlation of 0.06, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PSL or QQQA?

QQQA has higher volatility (17.19%) compared to PSL (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PSL dropped -41.58% vs QQQA's -38.44%.

Which ETF is better, PSL or QQQA?

On 5-year performance, QQQA leads with 13.98% vs 4.59% for PSL. On fees, QQQA is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, PSL has been the lower-risk option at 4.44%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PSL or QQQA?

Over the 5-year period, QQQA has performed better with a 13.98% return vs 4.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PSL or QQQA?

QQQA is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for PSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PSL or QQQA?

PSL has the higher dividend yield at 0.75%, compared with 0.06% for QQQA.

What is the main difference between PSL and QQQA?

PSL is categorized as Momentum, while QQQA is Nasdaq-100. PSL tracks DWA Consumer Staples Technical Leaders Index, while QQQA tracks NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for PSL and 0.58% for QQQA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.74 vs 0.09), 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.