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QQQ vs. SOXL
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

QQQ vs. SOXL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) and SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while SOXL is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the ICE Semiconductor Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, QQQ returned 21.79%/yr vs 63.20%/yr for SOXL. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. QQQ charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.75%/yr for SOXL.

Performance

QQQ vs. SOXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QQQ achieves a 17.57% return, which is significantly lower than SOXL's 458.36% return. Over the past 10 years, QQQ has underperformed SOXL with an annualized return of 21.79%, while SOXL has yielded a comparatively higher 63.20% annualized return.

QQQ

1D
0.59%
1M
0.93%
YTD
17.57%
6M
17.85%
1Y
35.82%
3Y*
26.43%
5Y*
16.85%
10Y*
21.79%

SOXL

1D
4.77%
1M
27.38%
YTD
458.36%
6M
462.65%
1Y
985.71%
3Y*
110.81%
5Y*
43.69%
10Y*
63.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QQQ vs. SOXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		17.57%20.77%25.58%54.86%-32.58%27.42%48.62%38.96%-0.13%32.66%
SOXL
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF		458.36%54.91%-12.31%226.98%-85.66%118.84%70.04%231.83%-39.07%141.71%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQ and SOXL is 0.81, 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

0.81

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.84

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.86

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.84

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2010

0.83

The correlation between QQQ and SOXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQ vs. SOXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
QQQ
SOXL

Technology

53.8%
100.0%

Communication Services

15.8%

-

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%

-

Consumer Defensive

7.7%

-

Healthcare

4.2%

-

Industrials

2.8%

-

Utilities

1.4%

-

Basic Materials

1.1%

-

Energy

0.6%

-

Financial Services

0.2%

-

Real Estate

0.1%

-

Technology

QQQ
53.8%
SOXL
100.0%

Communication Services

QQQ
15.8%
SOXL

-

Consumer Cyclical

QQQ
12.3%
SOXL

-

Consumer Defensive

QQQ
7.7%
SOXL

-

Healthcare

QQQ
4.2%
SOXL

-

Industrials

QQQ
2.8%
SOXL

-

Utilities

QQQ
1.4%
SOXL

-

Basic Materials

QQQ
1.1%
SOXL

-

Energy

QQQ
0.6%
SOXL

-

Financial Services

QQQ
0.2%
SOXL

-

Real Estate

QQQ
0.1%
SOXL

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Invesco QQQ ETF

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF

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Often compared with SOXL:
SOXL vs. TQQQSOXL vs. SOXXSOXL vs. SOXSSOXL vs. USDSOXL vs. TECLSOXL vs. NVDLSOXL vs. SPY

Return for Risk

QQQ vs. SOXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
QQQ
QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 7373
Omega Ratio Rank
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6969
Calmar Ratio Rank
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 7070
Martin Ratio Rank
SOXL
SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 9797
Overall Rank
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9999
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 9494
Sortino Ratio Rank
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 9494
Omega Ratio Rank
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 9999
Calmar Ratio Rank
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 9898
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

QQQ vs. SOXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) and Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL). 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.

QQQSOXLDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.09
8.99

-6.90

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
4.23

-1.50

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.37

1.60

-0.23

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.01

22.91

-19.90

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.22

74.51

-63.28

QQQ vs. SOXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is lower than the SOXL Sharpe Ratio of 8.99. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQ and SOXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

QQQ vs. SOXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQ drawdown since its inception was -82.97%, smaller than the maximum SOXL drawdown of -90.46%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQ and SOXL.

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Drawdown Indicators

QQQSOXLDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-82.97%

-90.46%

+7.49%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.96%

-43.47%

+31.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-22.77%

-87.88%

+65.11%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-35.12%

-90.46%

+55.34%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.12%

-90.46%

+55.34%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.33%

-16.35%

+13.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-32.75%

-34.99%

+2.24%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.20%

13.35%

-10.15%

Volatility

QQQ vs. SOXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) is 7.56%, while Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a volatility of 58.17%. This indicates that QQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SOXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

QQQSOXLDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

7.56%

58.17%

-50.61%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

13.81%

93.93%

-80.12%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.19%

110.81%

-93.62%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

22.55%

108.96%

-86.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

22.38%

99.99%

-77.61%

QQQ vs. SOXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQ has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is lower than SOXL's 0.75% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQ vs. SOXL - Dividend Comparison

QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, more than SOXL's 0.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
QQQ
Invesco QQQ ETF		0.39%0.45%0.56%0.62%0.80%0.43%0.55%0.74%0.91%0.84%1.06%0.99%
SOXL
Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF		0.03%0.34%1.18%0.51%1.07%0.04%0.05%0.38%1.30%0.09%4.84%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

QQQ and SOXL have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SOXL has higher volatility (58.17%) compared to QQQ (7.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQ dropped -82.97% vs SOXL's -90.46%.

On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 63.20% vs 21.79% for QQQ. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 7.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 63.20% return vs 21.79%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.75% for SOXL.

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

QQQ is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SOXL is Leveraged Equities. QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index. They also come from different issuers: Invesco and Direxion. Their fees differ too: 0.18% for QQQ and 0.75% for SOXL.

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.99 vs 2.09), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

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