UDOW vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UDOW (ProShares UltraPro Dow30) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - UDOW tracks the Dow Jones Industrial Average (300%) while SQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, UDOW returned 23.30%/yr vs -56.01%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.75, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Dow30 (UDOW) 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, UDOW achieves a 12.27% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -45.27% return. Over the past 10 years, UDOW has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 23.30%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.01% annualized return.

UDOW

• 1D: -3.38%
• 1M: 10.84%
• YTD: 12.27%
• 6M: 12.78%
• 1Y: 53.13%
• 3Y*: 33.01%
• 5Y*: 12.75%
• 10Y*: 23.30%

SQQQ

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -26.37%
• YTD: -45.27%
• 6M: -42.79%
• 1Y: -65.16%
• 3Y*: -56.19%
• 5Y*: -49.17%
• 10Y*: -56.01%

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

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
UDOW ProShares UltraPro Dow30	12.27%	24.46%	28.47%	32.72%	-32.39%	65.67%	-17.15%	75.24%	-23.86%	99.07%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-45.27%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between UDOW and SQQQ is -0.67, 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	-0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.65
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 2010	-0.75

The correlation between UDOW and SQQQ shifts across timeframes, from -0.75 (all time) to -0.65 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	UDOW	SQQQ
Financial Services	27.2%	97.1%
Industrials	18.4%	-
Technology	17.1%	-
Healthcare	13.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	11.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.4%	-
Basic Materials	4.0%	-
Energy	2.4%	-
Communication Services	1.9%	-
Real Estate	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

UDOW vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

UDOW

UDOW Risk / Return Rank: 40
UDOW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
UDOW Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
UDOW Omega Ratio Rank: 38
UDOW Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
UDOW Martin Ratio Rank: 41

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.

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Dow30 (UDOW) 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.

	UDOW	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.48	-1.37	+2.85
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.09	-2.63	+4.72
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	0.72	+0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.90	-0.99	+2.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.75	-1.82	+8.57
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UDOW Sharpe Ratio is 1.48, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UDOW 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

	UDOW	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.48	-1.37	+2.85
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29	-0.74	+1.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.45	-0.85	+1.30
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	-0.88	+1.41

Drawdowns

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UDOW drawdown since its inception was -80.29%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UDOW and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	UDOW	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.29%	-100.00%	+19.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.07%	-65.95%	+37.88%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.83%	-92.38%	+47.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-55.79%	-97.23%	+41.44%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-80.29%	-99.98%	+19.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.38%	-100.00%	+96.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.39%	-92.40%	+78.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.90%	35.73%	-27.83%

Volatility

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro Dow30 (UDOW) is 8.80%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 13.75%. This indicates that UDOW 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

	UDOW	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.80%	13.75%	-4.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.61%	36.45%	-8.84%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	36.12%	47.79%	-11.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	44.19%	66.64%	-22.45%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	51.76%	66.11%	-14.35%

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

UDOW vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

UDOW's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.21%, less than SQQQ's 12.48% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	12.48%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%	0.00%	0.00%
UDOW ProShares UltraPro Dow30	1.21%	1.38%	0.95%	0.95%	0.83%	0.26%	0.19%	0.61%	0.73%	0.13%	0.26%	0.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UDOW and SQQQ in my portfolio?

UDOW and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UDOW or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (13.75%) compared to UDOW (8.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UDOW dropped -80.29% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, UDOW or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, UDOW leads with 23.30% vs -56.01% for SQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, UDOW has been the lower-risk option at 8.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, UDOW or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, UDOW has performed better with a 23.30% return vs -56.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, UDOW or SQQQ?

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

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 12.48%, compared with 1.21% for UDOW.

What is the main difference between UDOW and SQQQ?

UDOW tracks Dow Jones Industrial Average (300%), while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

UDOW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs -1.37), 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.