URTH vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 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 13.19%/yr vs 36.10%/yr for QLD. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. 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 10.16% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 42.06% return. Over the past 10 years, URTH has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 13.19%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 36.10% annualized return.

URTH

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 10.16%
• 6M: 10.88%
• 1Y: 26.06%
• 3Y*: 20.81%
• 5Y*: 11.86%
• 10Y*: 13.19%

QLD

• 1D: -0.53%
• 1M: 21.54%
• YTD: 42.06%
• 6M: 37.45%
• 1Y: 85.49%
• 3Y*: 50.15%
• 5Y*: 25.75%
• 10Y*: 36.10%

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

URTH vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTH iShares MSCI World ETF	10.16%	21.36%	18.66%	23.95%	-17.97%	22.27%	15.78%	28.15%	-8.56%	22.95%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	42.06%	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, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.90
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 13, 2012	0.78

The correlation between URTH and QLD shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.90 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

URTH vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTH	QLD
Technology	28.3%	53.8%
Financial Services	15.8%	0.2%
Industrials	11.3%	2.8%
Consumer Cyclical	9.3%	12.3%
Communication Services	9.3%	15.8%
Healthcare	8.8%	4.2%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	7.7%
Energy	4.2%	0.6%
Basic Materials	3.3%	1.1%
Utilities	2.7%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%

Return for Risk

URTH vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTH

URTH Risk / Return Rank: 63
URTH Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Omega Ratio Rank: 63
URTH Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
URTH Martin Ratio Rank: 69

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 69
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

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.

	URTH	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	2.70	-0.53
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.02	3.16	-0.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.41	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.89	3.42	-0.53
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.11	11.92	+1.19
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

URTH vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTH Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is comparable to the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.70. 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	URTH	QLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	2.70	-0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.58	+0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77	0.81	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.73	0.60	+0.13

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	-0.74%	-0.53%	-0.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.37%	-18.17%	+13.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.99%	7.20%	-5.21%

Volatility

URTH vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares MSCI World ETF (URTH) is 3.27%, while ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a volatility of 8.90%. 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	3.27%	8.90%	-5.63%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	24.08%	-14.66%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.05%	31.85%	-19.80%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.19%	44.74%	-28.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.27%	44.56%	-27.29%

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 1.35%, more than QLD's 0.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.12%	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	1.35%	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?

With a correlation of 0.90, URTH and QLD 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.

Which is riskier, URTH or QLD?

QLD has higher volatility (8.90%) compared to URTH (3.27%). 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 36.10% vs 13.19% for URTH. On fees, URTH is cheaper at 0.24% per year. On volatility, URTH has been the lower-risk option at 3.27%. 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 36.10% return vs 13.19%. 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 1.35%, compared with 0.12% 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?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.70 vs 2.17), 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.