QLD vs. NVDA

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%), while NVDA (NVIDIA Corporation) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, QLD returned 33.23%/yr vs 65.23%/yr for NVDA. A 0.69 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

QLD vs. NVDA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLD achieves a 22.29% return, which is significantly higher than NVDA's 9.13% return. Over the past 10 years, QLD has underperformed NVDA with an annualized return of 33.23%, while NVDA has yielded a comparatively higher 65.23% annualized return.

QLD

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: -12.08%
• 6M: 20.01%
• YTD: 22.29%
• 1Y: 41.98%
• 3Y*: 37.92%
• 5Y*: 18.50%
• 10Y*: 33.23%
• ALL TIME*: 24.89%

NVDA

• 1D: 0.23%
• 1M: -3.52%
• 6M: 9.29%
• YTD: 9.13%
• 1Y: 18.06%
• 3Y*: 66.27%
• 5Y*: 60.07%
• 10Y*: 65.23%
• ALL TIME*: 36.39%

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

QLD vs. NVDA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	22.29%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation	9.13%	38.92%	171.25%	239.02%	-50.26%	125.48%	122.30%	76.94%	-30.82%	81.99%

Correlation

The correlation between QLD and NVDA is 0.65, 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	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.75
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2006	0.69

The correlation between QLD and NVDA shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

QLD vs. NVDA — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 42
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 40
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 44

NVDA

NVDA Risk / Return Rank: 61
NVDA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
NVDA Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
NVDA Omega Ratio Rank: 56
NVDA Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
NVDA Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

QLD vs. NVDA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) and NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA). 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.

	QLD	NVDA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	0.51	+0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	0.95	+0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.11	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.68	0.90	+0.78
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.37	1.90	+3.46

QLD vs. NVDA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLD Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is higher than the NVDA Sharpe Ratio of 0.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLD and NVDA, 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

QLD vs. NVDA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLD drawdown since its inception was -83.13%, smaller than the maximum NVDA drawdown of -89.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLD and NVDA.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLD	NVDA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.13%	-89.72%	+6.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.13%	-20.21%	-4.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.29%	-36.88%	-5.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.68%	-66.34%	+2.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.68%	-66.34%	+2.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.37%	-13.67%	-0.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.11%	-36.10%	+17.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.84%	9.50%	-1.66%

Volatility

QLD vs. NVDA - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a higher volatility of 14.75% compared to NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) at 10.95%. This indicates that QLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NVDA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLD	NVDA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.75%	10.95%	+3.80%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	30.94%	27.74%	+3.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	37.40%	35.88%	+1.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.59%	51.81%	-6.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.88%	49.92%	-5.04%

Dividends

QLD vs. NVDA - Dividend Comparison

QLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, which matches NVDA's 0.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation	0.14%	0.02%	0.03%	0.03%	0.11%	0.05%	0.12%	0.27%	0.46%	0.29%	0.45%	1.20%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.14%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLD and NVDA in my portfolio?

QLD and NVDA have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QLD or NVDA?

QLD has higher volatility (14.75%) compared to NVDA (10.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLD dropped -83.13% vs NVDA's -89.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs 0.51), 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.