QQDN vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 12, 2026

QQDN (ProShares UltraShort QQQ Mega) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - QQDN is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Mega Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past year, QQDN returned -34.59% vs -58.48% for SQQQ. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraShort QQQ Mega (QQDN) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQDN achieves a -11.94% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -43.51% return.

QQDN

• 1D: -1.18%
• 1M: -4.79%
• 6M: -11.62%
• YTD: -11.94%
• 1Y: -34.59%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SQQQ

• 1D: -0.84%
• 1M: -4.14%
• 6M: -40.16%
• YTD: -43.51%
• 1Y: -58.48%
• 3Y*: -54.03%
• 5Y*: -46.44%
• 10Y*: -55.56%

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

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
QQDN ProShares UltraShort QQQ Mega	-11.94%	-34.51%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-43.51%	-34.68%

Correlation

The correlation between QQDN and SQQQ is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2025	0.86

The correlation between QQDN and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QQDN vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQDN

QQDN Risk / Return Rank: 2
QQDN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
QQDN Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
QQDN Omega Ratio Rank: 3
QQDN Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
QQDN Martin Ratio Rank: 1

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 1
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort QQQ Mega (QQDN) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). 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.

	QQDN	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.87	-1.06	+0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.22	-1.81	+0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.87	0.80	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.80	-0.96	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.40	-1.78	+0.38

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQDN Sharpe Ratio is -0.87, which is comparable to the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQDN and SQQQ, 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

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQDN drawdown since its inception was -50.19%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQDN and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQDN	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.19%	-100.00%	+49.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.68%	-61.03%	+17.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-92.51%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-97.27%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-43.46%	-100.00%	+56.54%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-31.01%	-92.75%	+61.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	25.15%	32.59%	-7.44%

Volatility

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort QQQ Mega (QQDN) is 14.19%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 26.13%. This indicates that QQDN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QQDN	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.19%	26.13%	-11.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	31.46%	45.54%	-14.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	40.32%	55.22%	-14.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	39.82%	67.80%	-27.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.82%	66.51%	-26.69%

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both QQDN and SQQQ have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

QQDN vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

QQDN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.59%, less than SQQQ's 10.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQDN ProShares UltraShort QQQ Mega	5.59%	3.42%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	10.57%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QQDN and SQQQ in my portfolio?

QQDN and SQQQ have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQDN or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (26.13%) compared to QQDN (14.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQDN dropped -50.19% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, QQDN or SQQQ?

On 1-year performance, QQDN leads with -34.59% vs -58.48% for SQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, QQDN has been the lower-risk option at 14.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQDN or SQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, QQDN has performed better with a -34.59% return vs -58.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQDN or SQQQ?

QQDN and SQQQ have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QQDN or SQQQ?

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.57%, compared with 5.59% for QQDN.

What is the main difference between QQDN and SQQQ?

QQDN is categorized as Inverse Equities, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. QQDN tracks Nasdaq-100 Mega Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQDN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.87 vs -1.06), 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.