VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ

Last updated Jun 26, 2026

VBU.NEO (Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF) and TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - VBU.NEO is a Total Bond Market fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond Index (CAD Hedged), while TQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VBU.NEO returned 0.70%/yr vs 47.77%/yr for TQQQ. At a 0.03 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VBU.NEO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TQQQ.

Performance

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VBU.NEO is traded in CAD, while TQQQ is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the TQQQ values have been converted to CAD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VBU.NEO achieves a 0.13% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 48.02% return. Over the past 10 years, VBU.NEO has underperformed TQQQ with an annualized return of 0.70%, while TQQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 47.77% annualized return.

VBU.NEO

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.76%
• YTD: 0.13%
• 6M: -0.05%
• 1Y: 2.43%
• 3Y*: 2.52%
• 5Y*: -0.93%
• 10Y*: 0.70%

TQQQ

• 1D: 2.44%
• 1M: -5.69%
• YTD: 48.02%
• 6M: 41.06%
• 1Y: 98.91%
• 3Y*: 64.76%
• 5Y*: 25.28%
• 10Y*: 47.77%

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

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VBU.NEO Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF	0.13%	4.92%	0.11%	4.79%	-13.68%	-2.06%	7.26%	7.77%	-1.09%	3.47%
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	48.02%	28.22%	71.67%	190.95%	-77.77%	82.89%	105.07%	124.20%	-13.04%	103.30%

Correlation

The correlation between VBU.NEO and TQQQ is 0.15, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.15
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.13
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 30, 2014	0.03

The correlation between VBU.NEO and TQQQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.03 (all time) to 0.15 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VBU.NEO

VBU.NEO Risk / Return Rank: 17
VBU.NEO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VBU.NEO Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
VBU.NEO Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VBU.NEO Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
VBU.NEO Martin Ratio Rank: 19

TQQQ

TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 55
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 52
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 53

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.

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO) 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.

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.

	VBU.NEO	TQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.52	1.87	-1.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	2.26	-1.50
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.30	-0.20
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.80	2.68	-1.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.07	8.19	-6.12

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBU.NEO Sharpe Ratio is 0.52, which is lower than the TQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBU.NEO 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.

Drawdowns

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBU.NEO drawdown since its inception was -19.34%, smaller than the maximum TQQQ drawdown of -80.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBU.NEO and TQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VBU.NEO	TQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.34%	-80.32%	+60.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.08%	-37.15%	+34.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.94%	-58.00%	+52.06%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.44%	-80.32%	+61.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-19.34%	-80.32%	+60.98%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-7.41%	-11.61%	+4.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.31%	-17.74%	+12.43%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.18%	12.11%	-10.93%

Volatility

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU.NEO) is 1.25%, while ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) has a volatility of 27.03%. This indicates that VBU.NEO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than TQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VBU.NEO	TQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.25%	27.03%	-25.78%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.67%	43.32%	-39.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.73%	53.10%	-48.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.30%	67.51%	-61.21%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	5.95%	66.57%	-60.62%

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBU.NEO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than TQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBU.NEO vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison

VBU.NEO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.62%, more than TQQQ's 0.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TQQQ ProShares UltraPro QQQ	0.27%	0.65%	1.27%	1.26%	0.57%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.11%	0.00%	0.00%	0.01%
VBU.NEO Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF	3.62%	3.50%	3.34%	2.93%	2.32%	1.87%	2.15%	2.36%	2.24%	2.20%	2.18%	2.23%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VBU.NEO and TQQQ in my portfolio?

VBU.NEO and TQQQ have a correlation of 0.15, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VBU.NEO or TQQQ?

On fees, VBU.NEO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VBU.NEO or TQQQ?

VBU.NEO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TQQQ.

What is the main difference between VBU.NEO and TQQQ?

VBU.NEO is categorized as Total Bond Market, while TQQQ is Leveraged Equities. VBU.NEO tracks Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond Index (CAD Hedged), while TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VBU.NEO and 0.95% for TQQQ.