SEF vs. YQQQ

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

SEF (ProShares Short Financials) and YQQQ (YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SEF is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Financials Index (-100%), while YQQQ is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by YieldMax. SEF is passively managed, while YQQQ is actively managed. Over the past year, SEF returned -5.36% vs -7.48% for YQQQ. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SEF charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.99%/yr for YQQQ.

Performance

SEF vs. YQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Short Financials (SEF) and YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SEF achieves a -2.09% return, which is significantly higher than YQQQ's -4.79% return.

SEF

• 1D: -0.30%
• 1M: -4.14%
• 6M: -3.05%
• YTD: -2.09%
• 1Y: -5.36%
• 3Y*: -12.03%
• 5Y*: -7.58%
• 10Y*: -12.30%

YQQQ

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 4.23%
• 6M: -4.70%
• YTD: -4.79%
• 1Y: -7.48%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

SEF vs. YQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
SEF ProShares Short Financials	-2.09%	-9.82%	-9.65%
YQQQ YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF	-4.79%	-9.97%	-5.17%

Correlation

The correlation between SEF and YQQQ is 0.30, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 15, 2024	0.39

Return for Risk

SEF vs. YQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SEF

SEF Risk / Return Rank: 6
SEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
SEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
SEF Omega Ratio Rank: 6
SEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
SEF Martin Ratio Rank: 5

YQQQ

YQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 5
YQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
YQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
YQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 5
YQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
YQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

SEF vs. YQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short Financials (SEF) and YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ). 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.

	SEF	YQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.37	-0.54	+0.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.45	-0.67	+0.22
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.95	0.92	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.36	-0.34	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.95	-0.79	-0.16

SEF vs. YQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SEF Sharpe Ratio is -0.37, which is higher than the YQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -0.54. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SEF and YQQQ, 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

SEF vs. YQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SEF drawdown since its inception was -96.51%, which is greater than YQQQ's maximum drawdown of -29.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SEF and YQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SEF	YQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.51%	-29.10%	-67.41%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.82%	-21.80%	+6.98%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-39.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.62%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-73.40%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.48%	-24.89%	-71.59%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-82.78%	-14.96%	-67.82%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.65%	9.51%	-3.86%

Volatility

SEF vs. YQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Short Financials (SEF) is 4.21%, while YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF (YQQQ) has a volatility of 5.41%. This indicates that SEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than YQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SEF	YQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.21%	5.41%	-1.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.14%	11.70%	-0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.52%	13.94%	+0.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.97%	16.55%	+1.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.44%	16.55%	+3.89%

SEF vs. YQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SEF has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is lower than YQQQ's 0.99% expense ratio.

Dividends

SEF vs. YQQQ - Dividend Comparison

SEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.43%, less than YQQQ's 29.72% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
SEF ProShares Short Financials	3.43%	4.33%	5.72%	4.43%	0.39%	0.00%	0.12%	1.25%	0.41%
YQQQ YieldMax Short N100 Option Income Strategy ETF	29.72%	31.71%	7.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SEF and YQQQ in my portfolio?

SEF and YQQQ have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SEF or YQQQ?

YQQQ has higher volatility (5.41%) compared to SEF (4.21%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SEF dropped -96.51% vs YQQQ's -29.10%.

Which ETF is better, SEF or YQQQ?

On 1-year performance, SEF leads with -5.36% vs -7.48% for YQQQ. On fees, SEF is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, SEF has been the lower-risk option at 4.21%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SEF or YQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, SEF has performed better with a -5.36% return vs -7.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SEF or YQQQ?

SEF is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 0.99% for YQQQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SEF or YQQQ?

YQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 29.72%, compared with 3.43% for SEF.

What is the main difference between SEF and YQQQ?

SEF is categorized as Inverse Equities, while YQQQ is Derivative Income. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and YieldMax. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SEF and 0.99% for YQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.37 vs -0.54), 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.