TQQQ vs. SSO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P500) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - TQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%) while SSO tracks the S&P 500. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TQQQ returned 44.95%/yr vs 24.16%/yr for SSO. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TQQQ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.87%/yr for SSO.

Performance

TQQQ vs. SSO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TQQQ achieves a 61.91% return, which is significantly higher than SSO's 20.20% return. Over the past 10 years, TQQQ has outperformed SSO with an annualized return of 44.95%, while SSO has yielded a comparatively lower 24.16% annualized return.

TQQQ

• 1D: -1.55%
• 1M: 26.46%
• YTD: 61.91%
• 6M: 54.01%
• 1Y: 132.34%
• 3Y*: 68.49%
• 5Y*: 27.97%
• 10Y*: 44.95%

SSO

• 1D: 0.70%
• 1M: 8.84%
• YTD: 20.20%
• 6M: 19.43%
• 1Y: 53.91%
• 3Y*: 38.10%
• 5Y*: 19.79%
• 10Y*: 24.16%

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

TQQQ vs. SSO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	61.91%	34.35%	58.27%	198.04%	-79.09%	82.98%	110.05%	133.84%	-19.79%	118.06%
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	20.20%	26.19%	43.48%	46.65%	-38.98%	60.57%	21.54%	63.45%	-14.60%	44.35%

Correlation

The correlation between TQQQ and SSO is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010	0.90

The correlation between TQQQ and SSO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

TQQQ vs. SSO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TQQQ	SSO
Technology	53.8%	35.6%
Communication Services	15.8%	11.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.3%	10.1%
Consumer Defensive	7.7%	4.9%
Healthcare	4.2%	8.5%
Industrials	2.8%	8.3%
Utilities	1.4%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.8%
Energy	0.6%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.8%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

TQQQ vs. SSO — Risk / Return Rank

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

TQQQ

TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 71
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 66
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

SSO

SSO Risk / Return Rank: 67
SSO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
SSO Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SSO Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SSO Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SSO Martin Ratio Rank: 71

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.

TQQQ vs. SSO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) and ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO). 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.

	TQQQ	SSO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.80	2.30	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.01	2.91	+0.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.38	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.60	2.98	+0.62
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.77	13.10	-1.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TQQQ vs. SSO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.80, which is comparable to the SSO Sharpe Ratio of 2.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TQQQ and SSO, 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

	TQQQ	SSO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.80	2.30	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42	0.59	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.68	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.74	0.42	+0.32

Drawdowns

TQQQ vs. SSO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TQQQ drawdown since its inception was -81.66%, roughly equal to the maximum SSO drawdown of -84.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TQQQ and SSO.

Drawdown Indicators

	TQQQ	SSO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-81.66%	-84.67%	+3.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.97%	-18.17%	-18.80%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-58.04%	-35.21%	-22.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-81.66%	-46.73%	-34.93%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-81.66%	-59.34%	-22.32%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.29%	-0.71%	-1.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.52%	-19.57%	+1.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.28%	4.13%	+7.15%

Volatility

TQQQ vs. SSO - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) has a higher volatility of 13.35% compared to ProShares Ultra S&P500 (SSO) at 5.56%. This indicates that TQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SSO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TQQQ	SSO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	13.35%	5.56%	+7.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.04%	17.78%	+18.26%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.60%	23.59%	+24.01%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	66.50%	33.64%	+32.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	65.95%	35.89%	+30.06%

TQQQ vs. SSO - Expense Ratio Comparison

TQQQ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than SSO's 0.87% expense ratio.

Dividends

TQQQ vs. SSO - Dividend Comparison

TQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.37%, less than SSO's 0.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SSO ProShares Ultra S&P500	0.61%	0.68%	0.85%	0.18%	0.50%	0.18%	0.20%	0.50%	0.75%	0.39%	0.51%	0.63%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	0.37%	0.65%	1.27%	1.26%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TQQQ and SSO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, TQQQ and SSO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TQQQ or SSO?

TQQQ has higher volatility (13.35%) compared to SSO (5.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TQQQ dropped -81.66% vs SSO's -84.67%.

Which ETF is better, TQQQ or SSO?

On 10-year performance, TQQQ leads with 44.95% vs 24.16% for SSO. On fees, SSO is cheaper at 0.87% per year. On volatility, SSO has been the lower-risk option at 5.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TQQQ or SSO?

Over the 10-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 44.95% return vs 24.16%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TQQQ or SSO?

SSO is cheaper with a 0.87% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TQQQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TQQQ or SSO?

SSO has the higher dividend yield at 0.61%, compared with 0.37% for TQQQ.

What is the main difference between TQQQ and SSO?

TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%), while SSO tracks S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TQQQ and 0.87% for SSO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.80 vs 2.30), 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.