SSG vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SSG (Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - SSG is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (-200%), while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SSG returned -62.17%/yr vs 21.97%/yr for QQQ. At a correlation of -0.81, they often move in opposite directions. SSG charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

SSG vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SSG achieves a -61.47% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.62% return. Over the past 10 years, SSG has underperformed QQQ with an annualized return of -62.17%, while QQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 21.97% annualized return.

SSG

• 1D: -5.10%
• 1M: -34.47%
• YTD: -61.47%
• 6M: -61.93%
• 1Y: -82.39%
• 3Y*: -74.95%
• 5Y*: -67.33%
• 10Y*: -62.17%

QQQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: 10.68%
• YTD: 21.62%
• 6M: 20.27%
• 1Y: 43.30%
• 3Y*: 28.89%
• 5Y*: 18.43%
• 10Y*: 21.97%

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

SSG vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SSG Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors	-61.47%	-70.03%	-77.59%	-78.69%	37.90%	-67.46%	-76.50%	-63.33%	-0.79%	-51.60%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.62%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-32.58%	27.42%	48.62%	38.96%	-0.13%	32.66%

Correlation

The correlation between SSG and QQQ is -0.79, 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	-0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.83
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.83
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2007	-0.81

The correlation between SSG and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.86 to -0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

SSG vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSG	QQQ
Financial Services	50.7%	0.2%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	12.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	53.8%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

SSG vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

SSG

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

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 77
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 77
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
QQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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.

SSG vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	SSG	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.34	2.73	-4.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-3.24	3.55	-6.78
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.66	1.47	-0.81
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.01	3.71	-4.72
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.58	14.30	-15.87
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SSG vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSG Sharpe Ratio is -1.34, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSG and QQQ, 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

	SSG	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.34	2.73	-4.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.87	0.83	-1.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.90	0.99	-1.89
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.79	0.41	-1.20

Drawdowns

SSG vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SSG drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than QQQ's maximum drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SSG and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	SSG	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-82.97%	-17.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-81.36%	-11.96%	-69.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-98.49%	-22.77%	-75.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.64%	-35.12%	-64.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.99%	-35.12%	-64.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	0.00%	-100.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-88.59%	-32.79%	-55.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	52.66%	3.11%	+49.55%

Volatility

SSG vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) has a higher volatility of 21.32% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.48%. This indicates that SSG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSG	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.32%	4.48%	+16.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.37%	12.11%	+35.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.85%	15.95%	+45.90%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.34%	22.39%	+54.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	68.98%	22.30%	+46.68%

SSG vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

SSG has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

SSG vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

SSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.55%, more than QQQ's 0.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
SSG Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors	13.55%	9.19%	7.67%	6.73%	0.75%	0.00%	0.34%	1.81%	0.62%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSG and QQQ in my portfolio?

SSG and QQQ have a correlation of -0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SSG or QQQ?

SSG has higher volatility (21.32%) compared to QQQ (4.48%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSG dropped -100.00% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, SSG or QQQ?

On 10-year performance, QQQ leads with 21.97% vs -62.17% for SSG. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.48%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSG or QQQ?

Over the 10-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 21.97% return vs -62.17%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, SSG or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SSG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, SSG or QQQ?

SSG has the higher dividend yield at 13.55%, compared with 0.38% for QQQ.

What is the main difference between SSG and QQQ?

SSG is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. SSG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (-200%), while QQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for SSG and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs -1.34), 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.