SILJ vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

SILJ (Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - SILJ is a Silver fund tracking the Nasdaq Junior Silver Miners Index, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SILJ returned 5.23%/yr vs -54.75%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.20, they often move in opposite directions. SILJ charges 0.69%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) 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, SILJ achieves a -14.24% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -36.18% return. Over the past 10 years, SILJ has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 5.23%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -54.75% annualized return.

SILJ

• 1D: -0.25%
• 1M: -15.01%
• 6M: -29.16%
• YTD: -14.24%
• 1Y: 61.72%
• 3Y*: 36.21%
• 5Y*: 13.63%
• 10Y*: 5.23%
• ALL TIME*: 2.39%

SQQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 17.99%
• 6M: -34.34%
• YTD: -36.18%
• 1Y: -51.42%
• 3Y*: -51.15%
• 5Y*: -45.04%
• 10Y*: -54.75%
• ALL TIME*: -52.82%

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

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SILJ Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF	-14.24%	183.89%	6.39%	-5.21%	-15.42%	-23.21%	33.00%	57.06%	-27.95%	-5.65%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-36.18%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SILJ and SQQQ is -0.45, 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	-0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.33
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.30
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.24
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 29, 2012	-0.20

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between SILJ and SQQQ has strengthened: their correlation has moved from -0.20 to -0.45, meaning they now move in opposite directions more often than their long-term average.

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SILJ	SQQQ
Basic Materials	99.8%	-
Financial Services	0.3%	113.3%
Consumer Defensive	0.2%	-
Communication Services	0.0%	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SILJ vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SILJ

SILJ Risk / Return Rank: 37
SILJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
SILJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
SILJ Omega Ratio Rank: 40
SILJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
SILJ Martin Ratio Rank: 31

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: 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.

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) 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.

	SILJ	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.07	-0.92	+1.99
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.57	-1.42	+3.00
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	0.85	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.51	-0.84	+2.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.30	-1.53	+4.83

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SILJ Sharpe Ratio is 1.07, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SILJ 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

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SILJ drawdown since its inception was -79.04%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SILJ and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SILJ	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-79.04%	-100.00%	+20.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-41.12%	-61.03%	+19.91%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-41.12%	-92.51%	+51.39%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.29%	-97.27%	+48.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.06%	-99.97%	+29.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-41.12%	-100.00%	+58.88%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.36%	-92.76%	+51.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	18.73%	33.69%	-14.96%

Volatility

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF (SILJ) is 13.31%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 21.99%. This indicates that SILJ 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

	SILJ	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.31%	21.99%	-8.68%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.78%	46.34%	+1.44%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.99%	56.15%	+1.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	45.00%	67.92%	-22.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	46.34%	66.60%	-20.26%

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SILJ has a 0.69% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SILJ vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

SILJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.34%, less than SQQQ's 9.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SILJ Amplify Junior Silver Miners ETF	2.34%	2.00%	7.26%	0.01%	0.05%	0.36%	1.23%	1.45%	1.66%	0.00%	0.52%	2.46%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	9.36%	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 SILJ and SQQQ in my portfolio?

SILJ and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SILJ or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (21.99%) compared to SILJ (13.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SILJ dropped -79.04% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, SILJ or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, SILJ leads with 5.23% vs -54.75% for SQQQ. On fees, SILJ is cheaper at 0.69% per year. On volatility, SILJ has been the lower-risk option at 13.31%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SILJ or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, SILJ has performed better with a 5.23% return vs -54.75%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SILJ or SQQQ?

SILJ is cheaper with a 0.69% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.36%, compared with 2.34% for SILJ.

What is the main difference between SILJ and SQQQ?

SILJ is categorized as Silver, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. SILJ tracks Nasdaq Junior Silver Miners Index, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). They also come from different issuers: Amplify and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.69% for SILJ and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SILJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.07 vs -0.92), 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.