TAL vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

TAL (TAL Education Group) is a stock, while SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Over the past 10 years, TAL returned -0.14%/yr vs -56.24%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.28, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

TAL vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in TAL Education Group (TAL) 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, TAL achieves a -13.47% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -40.31% return. Over the past 10 years, TAL has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of -0.14%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.24% annualized return.

TAL

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: -3.38%
• YTD: -13.47%
• 6M: -14.95%
• 1Y: -10.52%
• 3Y*: 19.08%
• 5Y*: -17.97%
• 10Y*: -0.14%

SQQQ

• 1D: 9.83%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: -40.31%
• 6M: -37.80%
• 1Y: -61.11%
• 3Y*: -53.86%
• 5Y*: -46.89%
• 10Y*: -56.24%

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

TAL vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TAL TAL Education Group	-13.47%	8.88%	-20.67%	79.15%	79.39%	-94.50%	48.36%	80.66%	-10.20%	155.11%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-40.31%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TAL and SQQQ is -0.27, 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	-0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.23
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.25
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.30
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 20, 2010	-0.28

Return for Risk

TAL vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TAL

TAL Risk / Return Rank: 30
TAL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
TAL Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
TAL Omega Ratio Rank: 31
TAL Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
TAL Martin Ratio Rank: 26

SQQQ

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

TAL vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for TAL Education Group (TAL) 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.

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.

	TAL	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.24	-1.14	+0.90
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.06	-2.07	+2.01
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	0.78	+0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.36	-0.96	+0.60
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.81	-1.81	+1.00

TAL vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TAL Sharpe Ratio is -0.24, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TAL 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.

Drawdowns

TAL vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TAL drawdown since its inception was -98.06%, roughly equal to the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TAL and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TAL	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.06%	-100.00%	+1.94%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-29.12%	-63.52%	+34.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-51.31%	-92.51%	+41.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-93.12%	-97.27%	+4.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-98.06%	-99.98%	+1.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-89.53%	-100.00%	+10.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-41.95%	-92.73%	+50.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	13.05%	36.37%	-23.32%

Volatility

TAL vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for TAL Education Group (TAL) is 7.68%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 26.69%. This indicates that TAL experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TAL	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.68%	26.69%	-19.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.62%	43.33%	-9.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.96%	53.65%	-9.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	84.87%	67.53%	+17.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.34%	66.47%	+2.87%

Dividends

TAL vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

TAL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 11.44%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	11.44%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%
TAL TAL Education Group	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.27%	1.28%	4.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TAL and SQQQ in my portfolio?

TAL and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TAL or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (26.69%) compared to TAL (7.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TAL dropped -98.06% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TAL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.24 vs -1.14), 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.