SMN vs. TQQQ
SMN (ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials) and TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - SMN tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index (-200%) while TQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SMN returned -24.12%/yr vs 41.33%/yr for TQQQ. At a correlation of -0.61, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.
Performance
SMN vs. TQQQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SMN achieves a -19.90% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 35.91% return. Over the past 10 years, SMN has underperformed TQQQ with an annualized return of -24.12%, while TQQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 41.33% annualized return.
SMN
- 1D
- -0.44%
- 1M
- 6.34%
- 6M
- -9.45%
- YTD
- -19.90%
- 1Y
- -20.05%
- 3Y*
- -12.05%
- 5Y*
- -16.15%
- 10Y*
- -24.12%
- ALL TIME*
- -27.55%
TQQQ
- 1D
- 5.50%
- 1M
- -13.68%
- 6M
- 41.24%
- YTD
- 35.91%
- 1Y
- 63.13%
- 3Y*
- 51.24%
- 5Y*
- 17.78%
- 10Y*
- 41.33%
- ALL TIME*
- 43.27%
SMN vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMN ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials | -19.90% | -17.96% | 7.37% | -20.23% | -3.03% | -45.83% | -55.75% | -33.63% | 32.74% | -38.03% |
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ | 35.91% | 34.35% | 58.27% | 198.04% | -79.09% | 82.98% | 110.05% | 133.84% | -19.79% | 118.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between SMN and TQQQ is -0.36, 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 | -0.36 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | -0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | -0.53 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | -0.54 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010 | -0.61 |
Over the past year, the inverse relationship between SMN and TQQQ has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.61 to -0.36, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.
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Return for Risk
SMN vs. TQQQ — Risk / Return Rank
SMN
TQQQ
SMN vs. TQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (SMN) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). 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.
| SMN | TQQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.71 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.29 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.93 | 1.21 | -0.28 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.52 | 1.72 | -2.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.84 | 5.13 | -5.96 |
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Drawdowns
SMN vs. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SMN drawdown since its inception was -99.92%, which is greater than TQQQ's maximum drawdown of -81.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SMN and TQQQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SMN | TQQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -99.92% | -81.66% | -18.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -38.52% | -36.97% | -1.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -53.71% | -58.04% | +4.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -66.05% | -81.66% | +15.61% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -94.78% | -81.66% | -13.12% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -99.91% | -17.98% | -81.93% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -90.59% | -18.48% | -72.11% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 24.05% | 12.36% | +11.69% |
Volatility
SMN vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials (SMN) is 9.80%, while ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) has a volatility of 21.55%. This indicates that SMN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SMN | TQQQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 9.80% | 21.55% | -11.75% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 28.13% | 46.54% | -18.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 35.26% | 55.95% | -20.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 39.60% | 67.83% | -28.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 42.84% | 66.46% | -23.62% |
SMN vs. TQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both SMN and TQQQ have an expense ratio of 0.95%.
Dividends
SMN vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison
SMN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.49%, more than TQQQ's 0.53% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMN ProShares UltraShort Basic Materials | 3.49% | 4.08% | 5.02% | 4.54% | 0.42% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.72% | 0.06% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ | 0.53% | 0.65% | 1.27% | 1.26% | 0.57% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.06% | 0.11% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.01% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SMN and TQQQ have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
TQQQ has higher volatility (21.55%) compared to SMN (9.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SMN dropped -99.92% vs TQQQ's -81.66%.
On 10-year performance, TQQQ leads with 41.33% vs -24.12% for SMN. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SMN has been the lower-risk option at 9.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 41.33% return vs -24.12%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
SMN and TQQQ have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.
SMN has the higher dividend yield at 3.49%, compared with 0.53% for TQQQ.
SMN tracks Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials Index (-200%), while TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%).
TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.13 vs -0.57), 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.
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