SQQQ vs. SH

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) and SH (ProShares Short S&P500) are both exchange-traded funds - SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%), while SH is a Inverse Equities fund tracking the S&P 500 Index (-100% daily). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SQQQ returned -54.51%/yr vs -12.49%/yr for SH. Their correlation of 0.90 means they have usually moved in the same direction. SQQQ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for SH.

Performance

SQQQ vs. SH - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) and ProShares Short S&P500 (SH). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SQQQ achieves a -38.05% return, which is significantly lower than SH's -7.97% return. Over the past 10 years, SQQQ has underperformed SH with an annualized return of -54.51%, while SH has yielded a comparatively higher -12.49% annualized return.

SQQQ

• 1D: -5.26%
• 1M: 3.70%
• 6M: -34.63%
• YTD: -38.05%
• 1Y: -54.82%
• 3Y*: -52.10%
• 5Y*: -44.80%
• 10Y*: -54.51%
• ALL TIME*: -52.82%

SH

• 1D: -1.42%
• 1M: -1.30%
• 6M: -6.60%
• YTD: -7.97%
• 1Y: -14.42%
• 3Y*: -12.05%
• 5Y*: -8.25%
• 10Y*: -12.49%
• ALL TIME*: -11.35%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
SH ProShares Short S&P500	$269.15M	$242.02M	$299.42M
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	$2.77B	$2.43B	$2.72B

SQQQ vs. SH - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-38.05%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%
SH ProShares Short S&P500	-7.97%	-11.35%	-13.52%	-14.80%	18.98%	-24.21%	-25.09%	-22.12%	4.93%	-17.36%

Correlation

The correlation between SQQQ and SH is 0.93, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010	0.90

The correlation between SQQQ and SH has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

SQQQ vs. SH - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SQQQ	SH
Financial Services	89.7%	81.2%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SQQQ vs. SH — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 1
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 0

SH

SH Risk / Return Rank: 1
SH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SH Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SH Omega Ratio Rank: 2
SH Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SH Martin Ratio Rank: 0

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

SQQQ vs. SH - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) and ProShares Short S&P500 (SH). 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.

	SQQQ	SH	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.95	-1.13	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.51	-1.61	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	0.82	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.92	-0.90	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.65	-1.66	+0.01

SQQQ vs. SH - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SQQQ Sharpe Ratio is -0.95, which is comparable to the SH Sharpe Ratio of -1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SQQQ and SH, 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

SQQQ vs. SH - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SQQQ drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than SH's maximum drawdown of -94.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQQQ and SH.

Drawdown Indicators

	SQQQ	SH	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-94.66%	-5.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-59.62%	-16.06%	-43.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-92.51%	-38.82%	-53.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.27%	-44.53%	-52.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.97%	-74.80%	-25.17%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-94.62%	-5.38%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-92.78%	-67.93%	-24.85%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	35.25%	9.08%	+26.17%

Volatility

SQQQ vs. SH - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a higher volatility of 21.07% compared to ProShares Short S&P500 (SH) at 3.78%. This indicates that SQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SQQQ	SH	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.07%	3.78%	+17.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	48.20%	10.16%	+38.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.95%	12.78%	+45.17%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	68.24%	16.98%	+51.26%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.78%	18.03%	+48.75%

SQQQ vs. SH - Expense Ratio Comparison

SQQQ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SH's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

SQQQ vs. SH - Dividend Comparison

SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.64%, more than SH's 4.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SH ProShares Short S&P500	4.25%	4.49%	6.20%	5.37%	1.08%	0.00%	0.16%	1.76%	1.01%	0.06%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	9.64%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SQQQ and SH in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, SQQQ and SH move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, SQQQ or SH?

SQQQ has higher volatility (21.07%) compared to SH (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQQQ dropped -100.00% vs SH's -94.66%.

Which ETF is better, SQQQ or SH?

On 10-year performance, SH leads with -12.49% vs -54.51% for SQQQ. On fees, SH is cheaper at 0.89% per year. On volatility, SH has been the lower-risk option at 3.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SQQQ or SH?

Over the 10-year period, SH has performed better with a -12.49% return vs -54.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SQQQ or SH?

SH is cheaper with a 0.89% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 9.64%, compared with 4.25% for SH.

What is the main difference between SQQQ and SH?

SQQQ is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while SH is Inverse Equities. SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%), while SH tracks S&P 500 Index (-100% daily). Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SQQQ and 0.89% for SH.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.95 vs -1.13), 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.