QQQA vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 18, 2026

QQQA (ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - QQQA is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QQQA returned 11.64%/yr vs -45.39%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.88, they often move in opposite directions. QQQA charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) 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, QQQA achieves a 42.37% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -36.02% return.

QQQA

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: -15.08%
• 6M: 34.74%
• YTD: 42.37%
• 1Y: 58.31%
• 3Y*: 24.51%
• 5Y*: 11.64%
• 10Y*: —

SQQQ

• 1D: 4.65%
• 1M: 10.00%
• 6M: -34.17%
• YTD: -36.02%
• 1Y: -51.09%
• 3Y*: -49.80%
• 5Y*: -45.39%
• 10Y*: -54.92%

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

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	42.37%	9.87%	16.17%	24.98%	-29.08%	9.84%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-36.02%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-51.86%

Correlation

The correlation between QQQA and SQQQ is -0.87, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.87
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 20, 2021	-0.88

The correlation between QQQA and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.88 to -0.87 - a consistent structural relationship.

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	QQQA	SQQQ
Technology	76.2%	-
Communication Services	7.5%	-
Healthcare	6.5%	-
Energy	6.3%	-
Consumer Cyclical	3.5%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	109.1%
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

QQQA vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

QQQA

QQQA Risk / Return Rank: 69
QQQA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 68
QQQA Sortino Ratio Rank: 58
QQQA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
QQQA Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
QQQA Martin Ratio Rank: 78

SQQQ

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

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.

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) 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.

	QQQA	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	-0.91	+2.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.22	-1.41	+3.63
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	0.85	+0.46
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.15	-0.84	+3.98
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.47	-1.53	+12.99

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QQQA Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QQQA 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

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QQQA drawdown since its inception was -38.44%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QQQA and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QQQA	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.44%	-100.00%	+61.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.63%	-61.03%	+42.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.84%	-92.51%	+61.67%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-38.44%	-97.27%	+58.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.63%	-100.00%	+81.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.48%	-92.76%	+77.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.10%	33.52%	-28.42%

Volatility

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF (QQQA) is 15.85%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 22.12%. This indicates that QQQA 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

	QQQA	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.85%	22.12%	-6.27%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	29.97%	46.34%	-16.37%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	33.18%	56.08%	-22.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	27.38%	67.92%	-40.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	27.07%	66.58%	-39.51%

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

QQQA has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

QQQA vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

QQQA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than SQQQ's 9.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QQQA ProShares Nasdaq-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum ETF	0.03%	0.10%	0.09%	0.34%	0.28%	0.10%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	9.34%	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 QQQA and SQQQ in my portfolio?

QQQA and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.87, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QQQA or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (22.12%) compared to QQQA (15.85%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QQQA dropped -38.44% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, QQQA or SQQQ?

On 5-year performance, QQQA leads with 11.64% vs -45.39% for SQQQ. On fees, QQQA is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, QQQA has been the lower-risk option at 15.85%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QQQA or SQQQ?

Over the 5-year period, QQQA has performed better with a 11.64% return vs -45.39%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QQQA or SQQQ?

QQQA is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.34%, compared with 0.03% for QQQA.

What is the main difference between QQQA and SQQQ?

QQQA is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. QQQA tracks NASDAQ-100 Dorsey Wright Momentum Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.58% for QQQA and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs -0.91), 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.