TBX vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TBX (ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - TBX is a Inverse Bonds fund tracking the ICE BofA US Treasury (7-10 Y) (-100%), while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TBX returned 1.90%/yr vs -55.90%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.13, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

TBX vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury (TBX) 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, TBX achieves a 2.92% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -44.43% return. Over the past 10 years, TBX has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 1.90%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -55.90% annualized return.

TBX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.55%
• YTD: 2.92%
• 6M: 3.57%
• 1Y: 2.73%
• 3Y*: 4.72%
• 5Y*: 5.96%
• 10Y*: 1.90%

SQQQ

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: -22.29%
• YTD: -44.43%
• 6M: -42.11%
• 1Y: -64.38%
• 3Y*: -55.94%
• 5Y*: -49.01%
• 10Y*: -55.90%

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

TBX vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TBX ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury	2.92%	-1.15%	8.52%	3.99%	18.31%	1.70%	-9.96%	-5.20%	1.25%	-2.61%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-44.43%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TBX and SQQQ is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.10
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2011	-0.13

The correlation between TBX and SQQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.13 (all time) to 0.14 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

TBX vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TBX	SQQQ
Financial Services	55.0%	97.1%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TBX vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TBX

TBX Risk / Return Rank: 18
TBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
TBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
TBX Omega Ratio Rank: 17
TBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
TBX Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

TBX vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury (TBX) 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.

	TBX	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	-1.35	+1.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.82	-2.57	+3.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	0.73	+0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.81	-0.98	+1.79
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.52	-1.79	+3.31
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TBX vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TBX Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.35. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TBX 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

	TBX	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56	-1.35	+1.91
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.71	-0.74	+1.45
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	-0.85	+1.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.16	-0.88	+0.72

Drawdowns

TBX vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TBX drawdown since its inception was -41.04%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TBX and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TBX	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.04%	-100.00%	+58.96%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.39%	-65.95%	+62.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.77%	-92.38%	+84.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-7.77%	-97.23%	+89.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.46%	-99.98%	+80.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-17.22%	-100.00%	+82.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-26.64%	-92.40%	+65.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.80%	35.96%	-34.16%

Volatility

TBX vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury (TBX) is 1.68%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 13.81%. This indicates that TBX 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

	TBX	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.68%	13.81%	-12.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.39%	36.46%	-33.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.97%	47.79%	-42.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.44%	66.61%	-58.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	7.14%	66.10%	-58.96%

TBX vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

TBX vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

TBX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, less than SQQQ's 12.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	12.29%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%
TBX ProShares Short 7-10 Year Treasury	3.05%	3.45%	6.58%	4.07%	0.40%	0.00%	0.10%	1.53%	0.72%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TBX and SQQQ in my portfolio?

TBX and SQQQ have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TBX or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (13.81%) compared to TBX (1.68%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TBX dropped -41.04% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, TBX or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, TBX leads with 1.90% vs -55.90% for SQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, TBX has been the lower-risk option at 1.68%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TBX or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, TBX has performed better with a 1.90% return vs -55.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TBX or SQQQ?

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

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 12.29%, compared with 3.05% for TBX.

What is the main difference between TBX and SQQQ?

TBX is categorized as Inverse Bonds, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. TBX tracks ICE BofA US Treasury (7-10 Y) (-100%), while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TBX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.56 vs -1.35), 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.