QLD vs. XLC

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) and XLC (Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - QLD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%), while XLC is a Communications Equities fund tracking the S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QLD returned 23.24%/yr vs 8.03%/yr for XLC. Their correlation of 0.82 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QLD charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLC.

Performance

QLD vs. XLC - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QLD achieves a 32.65% return, which is significantly higher than XLC's -4.85% return.

QLD

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: -0.55%
• YTD: 32.65%
• 6M: 32.82%
• 1Y: 73.89%
• 3Y*: 44.57%
• 5Y*: 23.24%
• 10Y*: 35.67%

XLC

• 1D: -0.42%
• 1M: -4.66%
• YTD: -4.85%
• 6M: -3.59%
• 1Y: 10.19%
• 3Y*: 21.60%
• 5Y*: 8.03%
• 10Y*: —

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

QLD vs. XLC - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	32.65%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-26.76%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	-4.85%	23.08%	34.71%	52.82%	-37.63%	15.96%	26.90%	31.05%	-16.45%

Correlation

The correlation between QLD and XLC is 0.55, 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	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.71
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 19, 2018	0.82

Over the past year, the correlation between QLD and XLC has dropped to 0.55 - well below their long-term average of 0.82, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

QLD vs. XLC - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QLD	XLC
Technology	58.7%	4.7%
Communication Services	14.3%	95.1%
Consumer Cyclical	11.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	6.4%	-
Healthcare	3.7%	-
Industrials	2.6%	-
Utilities	1.2%	-
Basic Materials	1.0%	-
Energy	0.5%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	-
Real Estate	0.1%	-

Return for Risk

QLD vs. XLC — Risk / Return Rank

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

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 64
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 64
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 61

XLC

XLC Risk / Return Rank: 22
XLC Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Omega Ratio Rank: 20
XLC Calmar Ratio Rank: 22
XLC Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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. XLC - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) and Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC). 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	XLC	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.04	0.69	+1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.48	1.08	+1.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.12	+0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.78	0.86	+1.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.46	2.73	+6.73

QLD vs. XLC - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QLD Sharpe Ratio is 2.04, which is higher than the XLC Sharpe Ratio of 0.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QLD and XLC, 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. XLC - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QLD drawdown since its inception was -83.13%, which is greater than XLC's maximum drawdown of -46.65%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QLD and XLC.

Drawdown Indicators

	QLD	XLC	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.13%	-46.65%	-36.48%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.13%	-10.57%	-14.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-42.29%	-17.97%	-24.32%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-63.68%	-46.65%	-17.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-63.68%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.11%	-6.72%	-0.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.16%	-10.58%	-7.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.36%	3.33%	+4.03%

Volatility

QLD vs. XLC - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a higher volatility of 15.14% compared to Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLC) at 3.57%. This indicates that QLD's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XLC based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QLD	XLC	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.14%	3.57%	+11.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.51%	9.65%	+17.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.29%	13.28%	+21.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.07%	20.68%	+24.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	44.73%	22.17%	+22.56%

QLD vs. XLC - Expense Ratio Comparison

QLD has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than XLC's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

QLD vs. XLC - Dividend Comparison

QLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than XLC's 1.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.13%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%
XLC Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund	1.25%	1.13%	0.99%	0.82%	1.10%	0.74%	0.68%	0.82%	0.64%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QLD and XLC in my portfolio?

QLD and XLC have a correlation of 0.55, 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 XLC?

QLD has higher volatility (15.14%) compared to XLC (3.57%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QLD dropped -83.13% vs XLC's -46.65%.

Which ETF is better, QLD or XLC?

On 5-year performance, QLD leads with 23.24% vs 8.03% for XLC. On fees, XLC is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, XLC has been the lower-risk option at 3.57%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QLD or XLC?

Over the 5-year period, QLD has performed better with a 23.24% return vs 8.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QLD or XLC?

XLC is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QLD or XLC?

XLC has the higher dividend yield at 1.25%, compared with 0.13% for QLD.

What is the main difference between QLD and XLC?

QLD is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while XLC is Communications Equities. QLD tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (200%), while XLC tracks S&P Communication Services Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for QLD and 0.13% for XLC.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.04 vs 0.69), 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.