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SQQQ vs. BND
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

SQQQ vs. BND

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) and BND (Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%), while BND is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SQQQ returned -55.68%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for BND. At a 0.06 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. SQQQ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for BND.

Performance

SQQQ vs. BND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SQQQ achieves a -39.28% return, which is significantly lower than BND's -0.07% return. Over the past 10 years, SQQQ has underperformed BND with an annualized return of -55.68%, while BND has yielded a comparatively higher 1.53% annualized return.

SQQQ

1D
-4.47%
1M
-3.08%
YTD
-39.28%
6M
-36.43%
1Y
-60.85%
3Y*
-54.68%
5Y*
-47.98%
10Y*
-55.68%

BND

1D
-0.03%
1M
-0.67%
YTD
-0.07%
6M
0.23%
1Y
4.87%
3Y*
3.89%
5Y*
-0.05%
10Y*
1.53%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

SQQQ vs. BND - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ		-39.28%-53.05%-49.79%-73.61%82.40%-60.87%-86.40%-65.92%-20.83%-58.67%
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF		-0.07%7.08%1.38%5.65%-13.11%-1.86%7.71%8.84%-0.12%3.57%

Correlation

The correlation between SQQQ and BND is -0.25, 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

-0.25

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

-0.18

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.17

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.08

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010

0.06

The correlation between SQQQ and BND shifts across timeframes, from -0.25 (1 year) to 0.06 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ

Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF

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Often compared with BND:
BND vs. BNDXBND vs. FXNAXBND vs. AGGBND vs. FBNDBND vs. BNDWBND vs. TLTBND vs. VBTLX

Return for Risk

SQQQ vs. BND — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
SQQQ
SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 00
Overall Rank
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 00
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 00
Sortino Ratio Rank
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 00
Omega Ratio Rank
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
Calmar Ratio Rank
SQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 00
Martin Ratio Rank
BND
BND Risk / Return Rank: 4040
Overall Rank
BND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4141
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BND Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
BND Omega Ratio Rank: 3838
Omega Ratio Rank
BND Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
BND Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

SQQQ vs. BND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) and Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). 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.

SQQQBNDDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
-1.22
1.32

-2.54

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
-2.26
1.96

-4.22

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

0.76

1.23

-0.47

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

-0.93

1.83

-2.76

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

-1.69

5.43

-7.12

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SQQQ vs. BND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SQQQ Sharpe Ratio is -1.22, which is lower than the BND Sharpe Ratio of 1.32. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SQQQ and BND, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

SQQQBNDDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-1.22

1.32

-2.54

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.72

-0.01

-0.71

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.84

0.28

-1.12

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

-0.87

0.58

-1.45

Drawdowns

SQQQ vs. BND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SQQQ drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than BND's maximum drawdown of -18.58%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQQQ and BND.

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Drawdown Indicators

SQQQBNDDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-100.00%

-18.58%

-81.42%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-65.71%

-2.68%

-63.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-92.38%

-5.92%

-86.46%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-97.23%

-17.91%

-79.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-99.98%

-18.58%

-81.40%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-100.00%

-2.70%

-97.30%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-92.40%

-3.06%

-89.34%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

35.98%

0.90%

+35.08%

Volatility

SQQQ vs. BND - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a higher volatility of 19.65% compared to Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) at 1.20%. This indicates that SQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

SQQQBNDDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

19.65%

1.20%

+18.45%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

39.23%

2.69%

+36.54%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

50.16%

3.72%

+46.44%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

66.95%

6.02%

+60.93%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

66.30%

5.53%

+60.77%

SQQQ vs. BND - Expense Ratio Comparison

SQQQ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than BND's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

SQQQ vs. BND - Dividend Comparison

SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.25%, more than BND's 3.98% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BND
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF		3.98%3.86%3.67%3.09%2.60%2.12%2.38%2.72%2.81%2.54%2.51%2.57%
SQQQ
ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ		11.25%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

SQQQ and BND have a correlation of -0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

SQQQ has higher volatility (19.65%) compared to BND (1.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQQQ dropped -100.00% vs BND's -18.58%.

On 10-year performance, BND leads with 1.53% vs -55.68% for SQQQ. On fees, BND is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, BND has been the lower-risk option at 1.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, BND has performed better with a 1.53% return vs -55.68%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

BND is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 11.25%, compared with 3.98% for BND.

SQQQ is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while BND is Total Bond Market. SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%), while BND tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SQQQ and 0.03% for BND.

BND currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.32 vs -1.22), 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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