UPST vs. TQQQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

UPST (Upstart Holdings, Inc.) is a stock, while TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Over the past 5 years, UPST returned -28.67%/yr vs 28.37%/yr for TQQQ. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

UPST vs. TQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, UPST achieves a -30.73% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 64.46% return.

UPST

• 1D: -6.48%
• 1M: -5.58%
• YTD: -30.73%
• 6M: -33.13%
• 1Y: -40.58%
• 3Y*: 0.81%
• 5Y*: -28.67%
• 10Y*: —

TQQQ

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 33.35%
• YTD: 64.46%
• 6M: 55.93%
• 1Y: 137.89%
• 3Y*: 69.49%
• 5Y*: 28.37%
• 10Y*: 45.33%

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

UPST vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
UPST Upstart Holdings, Inc.	-30.73%	-28.98%	50.69%	209.08%	-91.26%	271.29%	38.28%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	64.46%	34.35%	58.27%	198.04%	-79.09%	82.98%	5.26%

Correlation

The correlation between UPST and TQQQ is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 2020	0.50

The correlation between UPST and TQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.45 to 0.53 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

UPST vs. TQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

UPST

UPST Risk / Return Rank: 20
UPST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
UPST Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
UPST Omega Ratio Rank: 19
UPST Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
UPST Martin Ratio Rank: 24

TQQQ

TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 71
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 65
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

UPST vs. TQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). 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.

	UPST	TQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.58	2.92	-3.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.52	3.09	-3.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.94	1.40	-0.47
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.57	3.75	-4.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.87	12.27	-13.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

UPST vs. TQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current UPST Sharpe Ratio is -0.58, which is lower than the TQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of UPST and TQQQ, 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

	UPST	TQQQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.58	2.92	-3.49
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.28	0.43	-0.71
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.69	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.00	0.74	-0.73

Drawdowns

UPST vs. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum UPST drawdown since its inception was -96.90%, which is greater than TQQQ's maximum drawdown of -81.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for UPST and TQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	UPST	TQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-96.90%	-81.66%	-15.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-71.21%	-36.97%	-34.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-72.72%	-58.04%	-14.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-96.90%	-81.66%	-15.24%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-81.66%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-92.23%	-0.76%	-91.47%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-76.16%	-18.52%	-57.64%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	46.66%	11.28%	+35.38%

Volatility

UPST vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison

Upstart Holdings, Inc. (UPST) has a higher volatility of 20.07% compared to ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) at 13.29%. This indicates that UPST's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than TQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	UPST	TQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	20.07%	13.29%	+6.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.56%	36.04%	+13.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	70.71%	47.60%	+23.11%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	103.75%	66.53%	+37.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	114.03%	65.96%	+48.07%

Dividends

UPST vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison

UPST has not paid dividends to shareholders, while TQQQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.36%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	0.36%	0.65%	1.27%	1.26%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%
UPST Upstart Holdings, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both UPST and TQQQ in my portfolio?

UPST and TQQQ have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, UPST or TQQQ?

UPST has higher volatility (20.07%) compared to TQQQ (13.29%). In terms of maximum drawdown, UPST dropped -96.90% vs TQQQ's -81.66%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.92 vs -0.58), 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.