TARK vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TARK (Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds. TARK is actively managed, while QLD is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TARK returned 22.58%/yr vs 50.42%/yr for QLD. A 0.75 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TARK charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

TARK vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF (TARK) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TARK achieves a -1.67% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 42.81% return.

TARK

• 1D: -3.51%
• 1M: 6.42%
• YTD: -1.67%
• 6M: -5.56%
• 1Y: 58.98%
• 3Y*: 22.58%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QLD

• 1D: 0.90%
• 1M: 21.71%
• YTD: 42.81%
• 6M: 38.79%
• 1Y: 89.44%
• 3Y*: 50.42%
• 5Y*: 26.76%
• 10Y*: 36.17%

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

TARK vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TARK Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF	-1.67%	41.00%	-4.85%	121.37%	-73.35%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	42.81%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-36.09%

Correlation

The correlation between TARK and QLD is 0.72, 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	0.72
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.73
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 3, 2022	0.75

The correlation between TARK and QLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.72 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TARK vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

TARK

TARK Risk / Return Rank: 24
TARK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
TARK Sortino Ratio Rank: 28
TARK Omega Ratio Rank: 26
TARK Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
TARK Martin Ratio Rank: 19

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 73
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 70
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 69

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.

TARK vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF (TARK) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). 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.

	TARK	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	2.82	-2.00
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.50	3.26	-1.76
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.43	-0.25
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	3.67	-2.57
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.19	12.83	-10.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TARK vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TARK Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is lower than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TARK and QLD, 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

	TARK	QLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	2.82	-2.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	0.60	-0.66

Drawdowns

TARK vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TARK drawdown since its inception was -77.82%, smaller than the maximum QLD drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TARK and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	TARK	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.82%	-83.13%	+5.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-57.57%	-25.13%	-32.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-65.55%	-42.29%	-23.26%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-63.68%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.30%	0.00%	-35.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-51.00%	-18.17%	-32.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	29.21%	7.20%	+22.01%

Volatility

TARK vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF (TARK) has a higher volatility of 17.93% compared to ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) at 8.87%. This indicates that TARK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TARK	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.93%	8.87%	+9.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	50.05%	24.08%	+25.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	71.71%	31.86%	+39.85%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	90.60%	44.76%	+45.84%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	90.60%	44.57%	+46.03%

TARK vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

TARK has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

TARK vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

TARK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 30.51%, more than QLD's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.12%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%
TARK Tradr 2X Long Innovation ETF	30.51%	30.00%	0.59%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TARK and QLD in my portfolio?

TARK and QLD have a correlation of 0.72, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TARK or QLD?

TARK has higher volatility (17.93%) compared to QLD (8.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TARK dropped -77.82% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, TARK or QLD?

On 3-year performance, QLD leads with 50.42% vs 22.58% for TARK. On fees, QLD is cheaper at 0.95% per year. On volatility, QLD has been the lower-risk option at 8.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TARK or QLD?

Over the 3-year period, QLD has performed better with a 50.42% return vs 22.58%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TARK or QLD?

QLD is cheaper with a 0.95% expense ratio, compared with 1.15% for TARK.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TARK or QLD?

TARK has the higher dividend yield at 30.51%, compared with 0.12% for QLD.

What is the main difference between TARK and QLD?

They also come from different issuers: AXS and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 1.15% for TARK and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.82 vs 0.83), 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.