URTH vs. QLD

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

URTH (iShares MSCI World ETF) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - URTH is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI World Index (Net), while QLD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTH returned 13.05%/yr vs 32.61%/yr for QLD. Their 0.78 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. URTH charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

URTH vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, URTH achieves a 11.55% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 23.13% return. Over the past 10 years, URTH has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 13.05%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 32.61% annualized return.

URTH

• 1D: 1.22%
• 1M: 1.58%
• 6M: 8.69%
• YTD: 11.55%
• 1Y: 23.64%
• 3Y*: 19.83%
• 5Y*: 11.46%
• 10Y*: 13.05%
• ALL TIME*: 12.26%

QLD

• 1D: 3.53%
• 1M: -4.40%
• 6M: 19.20%
• YTD: 23.13%
• 1Y: 47.19%
• 3Y*: 39.28%
• 5Y*: 17.91%
• 10Y*: 32.61%
• ALL TIME*: 24.88%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	$415.38M	$389.55M	$441.01M
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	$88.61M	$87.13M	$139.76M

URTH vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	11.55%	21.36%	18.66%	23.95%	-17.97%	22.27%	15.78%	28.15%	-8.56%	22.95%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	23.13%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between URTH and QLD is 0.90, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 12, 2012	0.78

The correlation between URTH and QLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.91 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URTH vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTH	QLD
Technology	30.9%	60.9%
Financial Services	15.7%	0.2%
Industrials	11.4%	2.7%
Healthcare	9.1%	3.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.9%	10.7%
Communication Services	8.2%	13.1%
Consumer Defensive	5.0%	6.3%
Energy	3.6%	0.5%
Basic Materials	3.1%	1.0%
Utilities	2.5%	1.1%
Real Estate	1.7%	0.1%

Return for Risk

URTH vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

URTH

URTH Risk / Return Rank: 78
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 77
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 83

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 48
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 47
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 48

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

URTH vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) and ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD). 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.

	URTH	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.82	1.23	+0.59
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.54	1.74	+0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.22	+0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.62	1.89	+0.73
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.33	5.56	+5.77

URTH vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 1.82, which is higher than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTH and QLD, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

URTH vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTH drawdown since its inception was -34.01%, smaller than the maximum QLD drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTH and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTH	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.01%	-83.13%	+49.12%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.06%	-25.13%	+16.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.94%	-42.29%	+25.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.05%	-63.68%	+37.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.01%	-63.68%	+29.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-13.78%	+13.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.34%	-18.10%	+13.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.09%	8.51%	-6.42%

Volatility

URTH vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) is 3.77%, while ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a volatility of 13.87%. This indicates that URTH experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than QLD based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	URTH	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.77%	13.87%	-10.10%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.68%	32.06%	-21.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.05%	38.59%	-25.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.31%	45.80%	-29.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.20%	45.00%	-27.80%

URTH vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

URTH has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

URTH vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

URTH's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.38%, more than QLD's 0.13% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.13%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	1.38%	1.48%	1.47%	1.70%	1.68%	1.50%	1.52%	2.16%	2.30%	1.88%	2.15%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTH and QLD in my portfolio?

URTH and QLD have a correlation of 0.90, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URTH or QLD?

QLD has higher volatility (13.87%) compared to URTH (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTH dropped -34.01% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, URTH or QLD?

On 10-year performance, QLD leads with 32.61% vs 13.05% for URTH. On fees, URTH is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 3.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTH or QLD?

Over the 10-year period, QLD has performed better with a 32.61% return vs 13.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTH or QLD?

URTH is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QLD.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, URTH or QLD?

URTH has the higher dividend yield at 1.38%, compared with 0.13% for QLD.

What is the main difference between URTH and QLD?

URTH is categorized as Global Equities, while QLD is Leveraged Equities. URTH tracks MSCI World Index (Net), while QLD tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: iShares and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for URTH and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URTH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.82 vs 1.23), 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.