SOXL vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds - SOXL tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index while QLD tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SOXL returned 63.20%/yr vs 35.67%/yr for QLD. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SOXL charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

SOXL vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SOXL achieves a 458.36% return, which is significantly higher than QLD's 32.65% return. Over the past 10 years, SOXL has outperformed QLD with an annualized return of 63.20%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively lower 35.67% annualized return.

SOXL

• 1D: 4.77%
• 1M: 27.38%
• YTD: 458.36%
• 6M: 462.65%
• 1Y: 985.71%
• 3Y*: 110.81%
• 5Y*: 43.69%
• 10Y*: 63.20%

QLD

• 1D: 1.30%
• 1M: 0.90%
• YTD: 32.65%
• 6M: 32.82%
• 1Y: 69.43%
• 3Y*: 44.57%
• 5Y*: 23.24%
• 10Y*: 35.67%

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

SOXL vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	458.36%	54.91%	-12.31%	226.98%	-85.66%	118.84%	70.04%	231.83%	-39.07%	141.71%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	32.65%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between SOXL and QLD is 0.81, 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	0.81
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 11, 2010	0.83

The correlation between SOXL and QLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

SOXL vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SOXL	QLD
Technology	100.0%	53.8%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

SOXL vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

SOXL

SOXL Risk / Return Rank: 97
SOXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
SOXL Omega Ratio Rank: 94
SOXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
SOXL Martin Ratio Rank: 98

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 64
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 64
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

SOXL vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). 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.

	SOXL	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	8.99	2.04	+6.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.23	2.48	+1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.60	1.33	+0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	22.91	2.78	+20.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	74.51	9.46	+65.05

SOXL vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SOXL Sharpe Ratio is 8.99, which is higher than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SOXL and QLD, 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

SOXL vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SOXL drawdown since its inception was -90.46%, which is greater than QLD's maximum drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SOXL and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	SOXL	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.46%	-83.13%	-7.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-43.47%	-25.13%	-18.34%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-87.88%	-42.29%	-45.59%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-90.46%	-63.68%	-26.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-90.46%	-63.68%	-26.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-16.35%	-7.11%	-9.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.99%	-18.16%	-16.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.35%	7.36%	+5.99%

Volatility

SOXL vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF (SOXL) has a higher volatility of 58.17% compared to ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) at 15.14%. This indicates that SOXL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SOXL	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	58.17%	15.14%	+43.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	93.93%	27.51%	+66.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	110.81%	34.29%	+76.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	108.96%	45.07%	+63.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	99.99%	44.73%	+55.26%

SOXL vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

SOXL has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

SOXL vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

SOXL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.03%, less than QLD's 0.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.13%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%
SOXL Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF	0.03%	0.34%	1.18%	0.51%	1.07%	0.04%	0.05%	0.38%	1.30%	0.09%	4.84%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SOXL and QLD in my portfolio?

SOXL and QLD have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SOXL or QLD?

SOXL has higher volatility (58.17%) compared to QLD (15.14%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SOXL dropped -90.46% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, SOXL or QLD?

On 10-year performance, SOXL leads with 63.20% vs 35.67% for QLD. On fees, SOXL is cheaper at 0.75% per year. On volatility, QLD has been the lower-risk option at 15.14%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SOXL or QLD?

Over the 10-year period, SOXL has performed better with a 63.20% return vs 35.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SOXL or QLD?

SOXL is cheaper with a 0.75% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SOXL or QLD?

QLD has the higher dividend yield at 0.13%, compared with 0.03% for SOXL.

What is the main difference between SOXL and QLD?

SOXL tracks ICE Semiconductor Index, while QLD tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: Direxion and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.75% for SOXL and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SOXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (8.99 vs 2.04), 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.