URTY vs. SQQQ

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

URTY (ProShares UltraPro Russell2000) and SQQQ (ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds from ProShares - URTY tracks the Russell 2000 Index (300%) while SQQQ tracks the NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, URTY returned 9.56%/yr vs -56.24%/yr for SQQQ. At a correlation of -0.74, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.95% expense ratio.

Performance

URTY vs. SQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) 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, URTY achieves a 56.97% return, which is significantly higher than SQQQ's -40.31% return. Over the past 10 years, URTY has outperformed SQQQ with an annualized return of 9.56%, while SQQQ has yielded a comparatively lower -56.24% annualized return.

URTY

• 1D: -2.91%
• 1M: 9.67%
• YTD: 56.97%
• 6M: 45.90%
• 1Y: 125.23%
• 3Y*: 31.82%
• 5Y*: -6.44%
• 10Y*: 9.56%

SQQQ

• 1D: 9.83%
• 1M: -2.27%
• YTD: -40.31%
• 6M: -37.80%
• 1Y: -61.11%
• 3Y*: -53.86%
• 5Y*: -46.89%
• 10Y*: -56.24%

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

URTY vs. SQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
URTY ProShares UltraPro Russell2000	56.97%	9.26%	7.38%	24.43%	-62.81%	28.47%	-7.72%	72.37%	-39.59%	38.85%
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	-40.31%	-53.05%	-49.79%	-73.61%	82.40%	-60.87%	-86.40%	-65.92%	-20.83%	-58.67%

Correlation

The correlation between URTY and SQQQ is -0.69, 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	-0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.72
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.69
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010	-0.74

The correlation between URTY and SQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.74 to -0.66 - a consistent structural relationship.

URTY vs. SQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	URTY	SQQQ
Technology	19.1%	-
Industrials	17.8%	-
Healthcare	16.3%	-
Financial Services	15.5%	122.0%
Consumer Cyclical	7.9%	-
Real Estate	5.9%	-
Energy	5.4%	-
Basic Materials	4.7%	-
Utilities	2.7%	-
Communication Services	2.5%	-
Consumer Defensive	2.2%	-

Return for Risk

URTY vs. SQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

URTY

URTY Risk / Return Rank: 65
URTY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
URTY Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
URTY Omega Ratio Rank: 51
URTY Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
URTY Martin Ratio Rank: 71

SQQQ

SQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 1
SQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
SQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 1
SQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
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.

URTY vs. SQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) 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.

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.

	URTY	SQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.14	-1.14	+3.28
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.58	-2.07	+4.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	0.78	+0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.87	-0.96	+4.83
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.67	-1.81	+14.48

URTY vs. SQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current URTY Sharpe Ratio is 2.14, which is higher than the SQQQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.14. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of URTY 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.

Drawdowns

URTY vs. SQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum URTY drawdown since its inception was -88.09%, smaller than the maximum SQQQ drawdown of -100.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for URTY and SQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	URTY	SQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-88.09%	-100.00%	+11.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.56%	-63.52%	+30.96%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-65.85%	-92.51%	+26.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-82.76%	-97.27%	+14.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-88.09%	-99.98%	+11.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-35.38%	-100.00%	+64.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-34.79%	-92.73%	+57.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	9.92%	36.37%	-26.45%

Volatility

URTY vs. SQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ProShares UltraPro Russell2000 (URTY) is 19.76%, while ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) has a volatility of 26.69%. This indicates that URTY 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

	URTY	SQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	19.76%	26.69%	-6.93%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	42.77%	43.33%	-0.56%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.97%	53.65%	+5.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	67.67%	67.53%	+0.14%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	69.41%	66.47%	+2.94%

URTY vs. SQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

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

Dividends

URTY vs. SQQQ - Dividend Comparison

URTY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.60%, less than SQQQ's 11.44% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
SQQQ ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ	11.44%	9.36%	10.23%	8.01%	0.28%	0.00%	2.15%	2.92%	1.47%	0.14%	0.00%
URTY ProShares UltraPro Russell2000	0.60%	1.02%	1.16%	0.55%	0.28%	0.00%	0.00%	0.18%	0.28%	0.00%	0.03%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both URTY and SQQQ in my portfolio?

URTY and SQQQ have a correlation of -0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, URTY or SQQQ?

SQQQ has higher volatility (26.69%) compared to URTY (19.76%). In terms of maximum drawdown, URTY dropped -88.09% vs SQQQ's -100.00%.

Which ETF is better, URTY or SQQQ?

On 10-year performance, URTY leads with 9.56% vs -56.24% for SQQQ. Both ETFs have the same 0.95% expense ratio. On volatility, URTY has been the lower-risk option at 19.76%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, URTY or SQQQ?

Over the 10-year period, URTY has performed better with a 9.56% return vs -56.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, URTY or SQQQ?

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

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

SQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 11.44%, compared with 0.60% for URTY.

What is the main difference between URTY and SQQQ?

URTY tracks Russell 2000 Index (300%), while SQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (-300%).

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

URTY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.14 vs -1.14), 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.