TSL vs. QQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

TSL (GraniteShares 1.25x Long Tsla Daily ETF) and QQQ (Invesco QQQ ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - TSL is a Leveraged Equities fund actively managed by GraniteShares, while QQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index. TSL is actively managed, while QQQ is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, TSL returned 20.28%/yr vs 28.78%/yr for QQQ. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. TSL charges 1.15%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for QQQ.

Performance

TSL vs. QQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in GraniteShares 1.25x Long Tsla Daily ETF (TSL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TSL achieves a -9.40% return, which is significantly lower than QQQ's 21.30% return.

TSL

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 9.37%
• YTD: -9.40%
• 6M: -9.11%
• 1Y: 20.41%
• 3Y*: 20.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

QQQ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 10.60%
• YTD: 21.30%
• 6M: 19.66%
• 1Y: 41.82%
• 3Y*: 28.78%
• 5Y*: 17.97%
• 10Y*: 21.94%

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

TSL vs. QQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
TSL GraniteShares 1.25x Long Tsla Daily ETF	-9.40%	3.49%	64.12%	113.79%	-66.58%
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	21.30%	20.77%	25.58%	54.86%	-15.67%

Correlation

The correlation between TSL and QQQ is 0.56, 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	0.56
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 10, 2022	0.59

The correlation between TSL and QQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

TSL vs. QQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	TSL	QQQ
Consumer Cyclical	100.0%	12.3%
Basic Materials	-	1.1%
Communication Services	-	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	-	7.7%
Energy	-	0.6%
Financial Services	-	0.2%
Healthcare	-	4.2%
Industrials	-	2.8%
Real Estate	-	0.1%
Technology	-	53.8%
Utilities	-	1.4%

Return for Risk

TSL vs. QQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TSL

TSL Risk / Return Rank: 16
TSL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 14
TSL Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
TSL Omega Ratio Rank: 17
TSL Calmar Ratio Rank: 16
TSL Martin Ratio Rank: 15

QQQ

QQQ Risk / Return Rank: 73
QQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
QQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
QQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
QQQ 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.

TSL vs. QQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GraniteShares 1.25x Long Tsla Daily ETF (TSL) and Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ). 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.

	TSL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.35	2.64	-2.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.87	3.45	-2.58
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.11	1.45	-0.35
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.55	3.51	-2.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.26	13.49	-12.24
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TSL vs. QQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TSL Sharpe Ratio is 0.35, which is lower than the QQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TSL and QQQ, 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

	TSL	QQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35	2.64	-2.28
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.99	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.03	0.41	-0.38

Drawdowns

TSL vs. QQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TSL drawdown since its inception was -74.52%, smaller than the maximum QQQ drawdown of -82.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TSL and QQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TSL	QQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.52%	-82.97%	+8.45%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-36.98%	-11.96%	-25.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-63.30%	-22.77%	-40.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-35.12%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.12%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-24.91%	-0.26%	-24.65%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-38.71%	-32.79%	-5.92%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.38%	3.11%	+13.27%

Volatility

TSL vs. QQQ - Volatility Comparison

GraniteShares 1.25x Long Tsla Daily ETF (TSL) has a higher volatility of 15.25% compared to Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) at 4.49%. This indicates that TSL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TSL	QQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	15.25%	4.49%	+10.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	34.12%	12.10%	+22.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	57.94%	15.94%	+42.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	73.18%	22.38%	+50.80%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	73.18%	22.29%	+50.89%

TSL vs. QQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TSL has a 1.15% expense ratio, which is higher than QQQ's 0.18% expense ratio.

Dividends

TSL vs. QQQ - Dividend Comparison

TSL has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.38%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QQQ Invesco QQQ ETF	0.38%	0.45%	0.56%	0.62%	0.80%	0.43%	0.55%	0.74%	0.91%	0.84%	1.06%	0.99%
TSL GraniteShares 1.25x Long Tsla Daily ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	60.47%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both TSL and QQQ in my portfolio?

TSL and QQQ have a correlation of 0.56, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, TSL or QQQ?

TSL has higher volatility (15.25%) compared to QQQ (4.49%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TSL dropped -74.52% vs QQQ's -82.97%.

Which ETF is better, TSL or QQQ?

On 3-year performance, QQQ leads with 28.78% vs 20.28% for TSL. On fees, QQQ is cheaper at 0.18% per year. On volatility, QQQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.49%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, TSL or QQQ?

Over the 3-year period, QQQ has performed better with a 28.78% return vs 20.28%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, TSL or QQQ?

QQQ is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 1.15% for TSL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, TSL or QQQ?

QQQ has the higher dividend yield at 0.38%, compared with 0.00% for TSL.

What is the main difference between TSL and QQQ?

TSL is categorized as Leveraged Equities, while QQQ is Nasdaq-100. They also come from different issuers: GraniteShares and Invesco. Their fees differ too: 1.15% for TSL and 0.18% for QQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.64 vs 0.35), 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.