ROM vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ROM (ProShares Ultra Technology) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - ROM tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (200%) while SQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ROM returned 42.70%/yr vs -56.01%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.96, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

ROM vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) 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, ROM achieves a 77.72% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -45.27% return. Over the past 10 years, ROM has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 42.70%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.01% annualized return.

ROM

• 1D: -2.01%
• 1M: 45.36%
• YTD: 77.72%
• 6M: 74.45%
• 1Y: 152.07%
• 3Y*: 59.24%
• 5Y*: 31.70%
• 10Y*: 42.70%

SQQQ

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -26.37%
• YTD: -45.27%
• 6M: -42.79%
• 1Y: -65.16%
• 3Y*: -56.19%
• 5Y*: -49.17%
• 10Y*: -56.01%

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

ROM vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ROM ProShares Ultra Technology	77.72%	35.63%	31.65%	130.70%	-63.86%	77.75%	80.42%	102.10%	-9.89%	81.11%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-45.27%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between ROM and SQQQ is -0.93, 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	-0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.97
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010	-0.96

The correlation between ROM and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.97 to -0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

ROM vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ROM	SQQQ
Technology	55.2%	-
Financial Services	3.0%	97.1%
Energy	0.1%	-
Industrials	0.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

ROM vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ROM

ROM Risk / Return Rank: 83
ROM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
ROM Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ROM Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ROM Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
ROM Martin Ratio Rank: 75

SQQQ

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

ROM vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) 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.

	ROM	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.66	-1.37	+5.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.69	-2.63	+6.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.48	0.72	+0.76
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.73	-0.99	+5.72
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	14.47	-1.82	+16.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ROM vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ROM Sharpe Ratio is 3.66, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ROM 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ROM	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.66	-1.37	+5.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62	-0.74	+1.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.86	-0.85	+1.71
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.54	-0.88	+1.41

Drawdowns

ROM vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ROM drawdown since its inception was -83.36%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ROM and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ROM	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-83.36%	-100.00%	+16.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.33%	-65.95%	+33.62%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-48.10%	-92.38%	+44.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-67.55%	-97.23%	+29.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-67.55%	-99.98%	+32.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.01%	-100.00%	+97.99%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.88%	-92.40%	+71.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.55%	35.73%	-25.18%

Volatility

ROM vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Ultra Technology (ROM) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) have volatilities of 14.00% and 13.75%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ROM	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.00%	13.75%	+0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.37%	36.45%	-3.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	41.83%	47.79%	-5.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	51.63%	66.64%	-15.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	49.82%	66.11%	-16.29%

ROM vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

ROM vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

ROM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.14%, less than SQQQ's 12.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ROM ProShares Ultra Technology	0.14%	0.24%	0.21%	0.01%	0.00%	0.00%	0.05%	0.16%	0.30%	0.08%	0.20%	0.12%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	12.48%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ROM and SQQQ in my portfolio?

ROM and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.93, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ROM or SQQQ?

ROM has higher volatility (14.00%) compared to SQQQ (13.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ROM dropped -83.36% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, ROM or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, ROM leads with 42.70% vs -56.01% for SQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 13.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, ROM or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, ROM has performed better with a 42.70% return vs -56.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, ROM or SQQQ?

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

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 12.48%, compared with 0.14% for ROM.

What is the main difference between ROM and SQQQ?

ROM tracks Dow Jones U.S. Technology Index (200%), while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ROM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.66 vs -1.37), 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.