SQQQ vs. SRTY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) and SRTY (ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - SQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%) while SRTY tracks the Russell 2000 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SQQQ returned -56.01%/yr vs -43.65%/yr for SRTY. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) and ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000 (SRTY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SQQQ achieves a -45.27% return, which is significantly lower than SRTY's -40.40% return. Over the past 10 years, SQQQ has underperformed SRTY with an annualized return of -56.01%, while SRTY has yielded a comparatively higher -43.65% annualized return.

SQQQ

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -26.37%
• YTD: -45.27%
• 6M: -42.79%
• 1Y: -65.16%
• 3Y*: -56.19%
• 5Y*: -49.17%
• 10Y*: -56.01%

SRTY

• 1D: 4.15%
• 1M: -10.54%
• YTD: -40.40%
• 6M: -38.33%
• 1Y: -65.58%
• 3Y*: -45.16%
• 5Y*: -30.75%
• 10Y*: -43.65%

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

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-45.27%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%
SRTY ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000	-40.40%	-40.55%	-32.91%	-42.02%	28.99%	-51.67%	-80.61%	-53.83%	23.37%	-38.31%

Correlation

The correlation between SQQQ and SRTY is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.64
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010	0.74

The correlation between SQQQ and SRTY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.64 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SQQQ	SRTY
Financial Services	97.1%	86.7%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SQQQ vs. SRTY — Risk / Return Rank

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

SQQQ

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

SRTY

SRTY Risk / Return Rank: 1
SRTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SRTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
SRTY Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SRTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
SRTY Martin Ratio Rank: 1

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. SRTY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) and ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000 (SRTY). 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.

	SQQQ	SRTY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-1.37	-1.15	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-2.63	-2.07	-0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.72	0.78	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.99	-0.97	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.82	-1.50	-0.32
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. SRTY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SQQQ Sharpe Ratio is -1.37, which is comparable to the SRTY Sharpe Ratio of -1.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SQQQ and SRTY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	SQQQ	SRTY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.37	-1.15	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.74	-0.46	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.85	-0.64	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.88	-0.69	-0.19

Drawdowns

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SQQQ drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, roughly equal to the maximum SRTY drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SQQQ and SRTY.

Drawdown Indicators

	SQQQ	SRTY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-100.00%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-65.95%	-67.42%	+1.47%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-92.38%	-88.56%	-3.82%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.23%	-91.18%	-6.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.98%	-99.74%	-0.24%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-99.99%	-0.01%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-92.40%	-93.78%	+1.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	35.73%	43.59%	-7.86%

Volatility

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) is 13.75%, while ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000 (SRTY) has a volatility of 17.30%. This indicates that SQQQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SRTY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SQQQ	SRTY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.75%	17.30%	-3.55%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.45%	40.81%	-4.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.79%	57.22%	-9.43%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	66.64%	67.43%	-0.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	66.11%	68.34%	-2.23%

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both SQQQ and SRTY have an expense ratio of 0.95%.

Dividends

SQQQ vs. SRTY - Dividend Comparison

SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.48%, more than SRTY's 9.17% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	12.48%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%
SRTY ProShares UltraPro Short Russell2000	9.17%	6.87%	9.40%	4.93%	0.17%	0.00%	0.95%	2.13%	0.70%	0.04%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SQQQ and SRTY in my portfolio?

SQQQ and SRTY have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SQQQ or SRTY?

SRTY has higher volatility (17.30%) compared to SQQQ (13.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SQQQ dropped -100.00% vs SRTY's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, SQQQ or SRTY?

On 10-year performance, SRTY leads with -43.65% vs -56.01% for SQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 13.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SQQQ or SRTY?

Over the 10-year period, SRTY has performed better with a -43.65% return vs -56.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SQQQ or SRTY?

SQQQ and SRTY have the same expense ratio: 0.95% per year.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 12.48%, compared with 9.17% for SRTY.

What is the main difference between SQQQ and SRTY?

SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%), while SRTY tracks Russell 2000 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SRTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.15 vs -1.37), 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.