PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
TQQQ vs. VTI
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

TQQQ vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%), while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, TQQQ returned 44.55%/yr vs 15.02%/yr for VTI. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. TQQQ charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

TQQQ vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TQQQ achieves a 47.28% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 9.62% return. Over the past 10 years, TQQQ has outperformed VTI with an annualized return of 44.55%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively lower 15.02% annualized return.

TQQQ

1D
1.99%
1M
-1.81%
YTD
47.28%
6M
47.23%
1Y
114.36%
3Y*
59.79%
5Y*
24.34%
10Y*
44.55%

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
-0.28%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
26.27%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

TQQQ vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ		47.28%34.35%58.27%198.04%-79.09%82.98%110.05%133.84%-19.79%118.06%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		9.62%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between TQQQ and VTI is 0.92, 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

0.92

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.92

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.93

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.90

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010

0.90

The correlation between TQQQ and VTI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

TQQQ vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
TQQQ
VTI

Technology

53.8%
33.5%

Communication Services

15.8%
10.3%

Consumer Cyclical

12.3%
10.0%

Consumer Defensive

7.7%
4.7%

Healthcare

4.2%
9.2%

Industrials

2.8%
9.8%

Utilities

1.4%
2.3%

Basic Materials

1.1%
2.0%

Energy

0.6%
3.7%

Financial Services

0.2%
12.0%

Real Estate

0.1%
2.4%

Technology

TQQQ
53.8%
VTI
33.5%

Communication Services

TQQQ
15.8%
VTI
10.3%

Consumer Cyclical

TQQQ
12.3%
VTI
10.0%

Consumer Defensive

TQQQ
7.7%
VTI
4.7%

Healthcare

TQQQ
4.2%
VTI
9.2%

Industrials

TQQQ
2.8%
VTI
9.8%

Utilities

TQQQ
1.4%
VTI
2.3%

Basic Materials

TQQQ
1.1%
VTI
2.0%

Energy

TQQQ
0.6%
VTI
3.7%

Financial Services

TQQQ
0.2%
VTI
12.0%

Real Estate

TQQQ
0.1%
VTI
2.4%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

ProShares UltraPro QQQ

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

Often compared with TQQQ:
TQQQ vs. QQQTQQQ vs. SOXLTQQQ vs. QLDTQQQ vs. SQQQTQQQ vs. SPXLTQQQ vs. UPROTQQQ vs. TECL
Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ

Return for Risk

TQQQ vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
TQQQ
TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

TQQQVTIDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.09
1.97

+0.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.42
2.67

-0.25

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.35

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.89

2.79

+0.10

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

9.26

12.52

-3.26

TQQQ vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TQQQ Sharpe Ratio is 2.09, which is comparable to the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TQQQ and VTI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Drawdowns

TQQQ vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TQQQ drawdown since its inception was -81.66%, which is greater than VTI's maximum drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TQQQ and VTI.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

TQQQVTIDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-81.66%

-55.45%

-26.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-36.97%

-8.92%

-28.05%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-58.04%

-19.30%

-38.74%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-81.66%

-25.36%

-56.30%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-81.66%

-35.00%

-46.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-11.12%

-2.14%

-8.98%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-18.51%

-8.02%

-10.49%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

11.52%

1.99%

+9.53%

Volatility

TQQQ vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) has a higher volatility of 22.79% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 4.50%. This indicates that TQQQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

TQQQVTIDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

22.79%

4.50%

+18.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

41.26%

9.82%

+31.44%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

51.24%

12.64%

+38.60%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

67.02%

17.47%

+49.55%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

66.22%

18.33%

+47.89%

TQQQ vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

TQQQ has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

TQQQ vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

TQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.41%, less than VTI's 1.03% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ		0.41%0.65%1.27%1.26%0.57%0.00%0.00%0.06%0.11%0.00%0.00%0.01%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.03%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.92, TQQQ and VTI 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.

TQQQ has higher volatility (22.79%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TQQQ dropped -81.66% vs VTI's -55.45%.

On 10-year performance, TQQQ leads with 44.55% vs 15.02% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 44.55% return vs 15.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TQQQ.

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.41% for TQQQ.

TQQQ is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%), while VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index. They also come from different issuers: ProShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for TQQQ and 0.03% for VTI.

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.97), 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.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for TQQQ and VTI

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer