QULL vs. SSO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

QULL (ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) are both Leveraged Equities funds - QULL tracks the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index while SSO tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, QULL returned 16.69%/yr vs 20.39%/yr for SSO. With a 0.96 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. QULL charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SSO.

Performance

QULL vs. SSO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QULL achieves a 15.23% return, which is significantly lower than SSO's 21.07% return.

QULL

• 1D: -0.02%
• 1M: 7.79%
• YTD: 15.23%
• 6M: 15.73%
• 1Y: 40.54%
• 3Y*: 32.44%
• 5Y*: 16.69%
• 10Y*: —

SSO

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 10.52%
• YTD: 21.07%
• 6M: 21.28%
• 1Y: 56.67%
• 3Y*: 38.21%
• 5Y*: 20.39%
• 10Y*: 24.38%

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

QULL vs. SSO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN	15.23%	17.61%	38.03%	57.07%	-42.00%	51.36%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	21.07%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	49.95%

Correlation

The correlation between QULL and SSO is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.96
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2021	0.96

The correlation between QULL and SSO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QULL vs. SSO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QULL

QULL Risk / Return Rank: 47
QULL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
QULL Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
QULL Omega Ratio Rank: 44
QULL Calmar Ratio Rank: 44
QULL Martin Ratio Rank: 56

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 68
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 66
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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.

QULL vs. SSO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). 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.

	QULL	SSO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.67	2.42	-0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.03	-0.72
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.28	1.40	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.23	3.21	-0.98
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	9.90	14.14	-4.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QULL vs. SSO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QULL Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is lower than the SSO Sharpe Ratio of 2.42. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QULL and SSO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QULL	SSO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.67	2.42	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.61	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.68	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.56	0.42	+0.14

Drawdowns

QULL vs. SSO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QULL drawdown since its inception was -51.83%, smaller than the maximum SSO drawdown of -84.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QULL and SSO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QULL	SSO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.83%	-84.67%	+32.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.43%	-18.17%	-0.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-36.82%	-35.21%	-1.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-51.83%	-46.73%	-5.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-59.34%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.02%	0.00%	-0.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.07%	-19.57%	+5.50%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.15%	4.13%	+0.02%

Volatility

QULL vs. SSO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN (QULL) is 4.89%, while ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) has a volatility of 5.46%. This indicates that QULL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SSO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QULL	SSO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.89%	5.46%	-0.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.80%	17.74%	+1.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.46%	23.57%	+0.89%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	35.62%	33.65%	+1.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.16%	35.90%	-0.74%

QULL vs. SSO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QULL has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SSO's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

QULL vs. SSO - Dividend Comparison

QULL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SSO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.61%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QULL ETRACS 2x Leveraged MSCI US Quality Factor TR ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.61%	0.68%	0.85%	0.18%	0.50%	0.18%	0.20%	0.50%	0.75%	0.39%	0.51%	0.63%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QULL and SSO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, QULL and SSO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, QULL or SSO?

SSO has higher volatility (5.46%) compared to QULL (4.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QULL dropped -51.83% vs SSO's -84.67%.

Which ETF is better, QULL or SSO?

On 5-year performance, SSO leads with 20.39% vs 16.69% for QULL. On fees, SSO is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, QULL has been the lower-risk option at 4.89%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, QULL or SSO?

Over the 5-year period, SSO has performed better with a 20.39% return vs 16.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, QULL or SSO?

SSO is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QULL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, QULL or SSO?

SSO has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.00% for QULL.

What is the main difference between QULL and SSO?

QULL tracks MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality Index, while SSO tracks S&P 500. They also come from different issuers: UBS and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for QULL and 0.87% for SSO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.42 vs 1.67), 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.