TINT vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

TINT (ProShares Smart Materials ETF) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - TINT is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Solactive Smart Materials Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TINT returned 5.30%/yr vs -51.78%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.71, they often move in opposite directions. TINT charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for SQQQ.

Performance

TINT vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Smart Materials ETF (TINT) 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, TINT achieves a 15.25% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -40.27% return.

TINT

• 1D: -1.25%
• 1M: -8.31%
• 6M: 9.28%
• YTD: 15.25%
• 1Y: 22.79%
• 3Y*: 5.30%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SQQQ

• 1D: 5.74%
• 1M: 1.37%
• 6M: -36.57%
• YTD: -40.27%
• 1Y: -56.10%
• 3Y*: -51.78%
• 5Y*: -45.66%
• 10Y*: -55.28%

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

TINT vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
TINT ProShares Smart Materials ETF	15.25%	16.13%	-13.37%	20.04%	-28.14%	1.56%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-40.27%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-17.39%

Correlation

The correlation between TINT and SQQQ is -0.66, 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	-0.66
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2021	-0.71

The correlation between TINT and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.71 to -0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

TINT vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TINT	SQQQ
Basic Materials	67.3%	-
Technology	21.0%	-
Industrials	7.0%	-
Financial Services	3.9%	109.1%
Healthcare	0.8%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

TINT vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TINT

TINT Risk / Return Rank: 33
TINT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
TINT Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
TINT Omega Ratio Rank: 32
TINT Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
TINT Martin Ratio Rank: 36

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 1
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
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.

TINT vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Smart Materials ETF (TINT) 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.

	TINT	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.93	-1.01	+1.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.44	-1.69	+3.13
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	0.82	+0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.31	-0.92	+2.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.38	-1.71	+6.09

TINT vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TINT Sharpe Ratio is 0.93, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TINT 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

TINT vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TINT drawdown since its inception was -41.36%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TINT and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TINT	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.36%	-100.00%	+58.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-17.53%	-61.03%	+43.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-30.42%	-92.51%	+62.09%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-97.27%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-99.97%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.83%	-100.00%	+90.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-20.78%	-92.75%	+71.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.22%	32.78%	-27.56%

Volatility

TINT vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares Smart Materials ETF (TINT) is 7.63%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 26.05%. This indicates that TINT 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

	TINT	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.63%	26.05%	-18.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.32%	45.88%	-24.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.53%	55.64%	-31.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.52%	67.87%	-44.35%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.52%	66.56%	-43.04%

TINT vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TINT has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is lower than SQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

TINT vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

TINT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than SQQQ's 10.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	10.00%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%
TINT ProShares Smart Materials ETF	1.19%	1.27%	1.47%	0.99%	1.36%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TINT and SQQQ in my portfolio?

TINT and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TINT or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (26.05%) compared to TINT (7.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TINT dropped -41.36% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, TINT or SQQQ?

On 3-year performance, TINT leads with 5.30% vs -51.78% for SQQQ. On fees, TINT is cheaper at 0.58% per year. On volatility, TINT has been the lower-risk option at 7.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TINT or SQQQ?

Over the 3-year period, TINT has performed better with a 5.30% return vs -51.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TINT or SQQQ?

TINT is cheaper with a 0.58% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for SQQQ.

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 10.00%, compared with 1.19% for TINT.

What is the main difference between TINT and SQQQ?

TINT is categorized as Energy Equities, while SQQQ is Leveraged Equities. TINT tracks Solactive Smart Materials Index - Benchmark TR Net, while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Their fees differ too: 0.58% for TINT and 0.95% for SQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TINT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.93 vs -1.01), 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.