SSG vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

SSG (Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - SSG tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (-200%) while SQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, SSG returned -62.17%/yr vs -56.04%/yr for SQQQ. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

SSG vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). 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 SQQQ's -45.68% return. Over the past 10 years, SSG has underperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of -62.17%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively higher -56.04% 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%

SQQQ

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: -26.50%
• YTD: -45.68%
• 6M: -43.61%
• 1Y: -66.23%
• 3Y*: -56.30%
• 5Y*: -49.79%
• 10Y*: -56.04%

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

SSG vs. SQQQ - 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%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-45.68%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between SSG and SQQQ is 0.79, 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	0.79
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 12, 2010	0.80

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

SSG vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SSG	SQQQ
Financial Services	50.7%	97.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

SSG vs. SQQQ — 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

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

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. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ). 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	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-1.34	-1.39	+0.05
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-3.24	-2.71	-0.53
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.66	0.72	-0.06
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.01	-1.01	0.00
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-1.58	-1.86	+0.29
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. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SSG Sharpe Ratio is -1.34, which is comparable to the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.39. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SSG and SQQQ, 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	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-1.34	-1.39	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.87	-0.75	-0.12
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.90	-0.85	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.79	-0.88	+0.09

Drawdowns

SSG vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

	SSG	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-100.00%	0.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-81.36%	-65.95%	-15.41%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-98.49%	-92.38%	-6.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.64%	-97.23%	-2.41%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.99%	-99.98%	-0.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-100.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-88.59%	-92.40%	+3.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	52.66%	35.95%	+16.71%

Volatility

SSG vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors (SSG) has a higher volatility of 21.32% compared to ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) at 13.72%. This indicates that SSG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SSG	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.32%	13.72%	+7.60%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	47.37%	36.46%	+10.91%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	61.85%	47.82%	+14.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	77.34%	66.66%	+10.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	68.98%	66.12%	+2.86%

SSG vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

SSG vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

SSG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.55%, more than SQQQ's 12.57% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	12.57%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%
SSG Proshares Ultrashort Semiconductors	13.55%	9.19%	7.67%	6.73%	0.75%	0.00%	0.34%	1.81%	0.62%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SSG and SQQQ in my portfolio?

SSG and SQQQ 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 SQQQ?

SSG has higher volatility (21.32%) compared to SQQQ (13.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SSG dropped -100.00% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, SSG or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, SQQQ leads with -56.04% vs -62.17% for SSG. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, SQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 13.72%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, SSG or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, SQQQ has performed better with a -56.04% 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 SQQQ?

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

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

SSG has the higher dividend yield at 13.55%, compared with 12.57% for SQQQ.

What is the main difference between SSG and SQQQ?

SSG tracks Dow Jones U.S. Semiconductors Index (-200%), while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SSG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-1.34 vs -1.39), 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.