VERS vs. IQQQ

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

VERS (ProShares Metaverse ETF) and IQQQ (ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VERS is a Technology Equities fund tracking the Solactive Metaverse Theme Index - Benchmark TR Net, while IQQQ is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VERS returned 33.57% vs 25.95% for IQQQ. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VERS charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.55%/yr for IQQQ.

Performance

VERS vs. IQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ProShares Metaverse ETF (VERS) and ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VERS achieves a 16.15% return, which is significantly higher than IQQQ's 13.67% return.

VERS

• 1D: -2.99%
• 1M: -6.48%
• 6M: 11.82%
• YTD: 16.15%
• 1Y: 33.57%
• 3Y*: 20.69%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

IQQQ

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: -1.65%
• 6M: 11.37%
• YTD: 13.67%
• 1Y: 25.95%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

VERS vs. IQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VERS ProShares Metaverse ETF	16.15%	26.16%	21.33%
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	13.67%	17.11%	14.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VERS and IQQQ is 0.84, 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	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 20, 2024	0.83

The correlation between VERS and IQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.84 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VERS vs. IQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

VERS

VERS Risk / Return Rank: 36
VERS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VERS Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
VERS Omega Ratio Rank: 37
VERS Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
VERS Martin Ratio Rank: 32

IQQQ

IQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 54
IQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
IQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 50
IQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 51
IQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
IQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 57

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.

VERS vs. IQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Metaverse ETF (VERS) and ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ). 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.

	VERS	IQQQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.13	1.48	-0.35
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.61	1.99	-0.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.26	-0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.46	2.34	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.83	7.74	-3.91

VERS vs. IQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VERS Sharpe Ratio is 1.13, which is comparable to the IQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 1.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VERS and IQQQ, 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

VERS vs. IQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VERS drawdown since its inception was -42.13%, which is greater than IQQQ's maximum drawdown of -20.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VERS and IQQQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	VERS	IQQQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.13%	-20.41%	-21.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.02%	-11.13%	-11.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.34%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.78%	-4.54%	-11.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-14.96%	-3.63%	-11.33%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.79%	3.36%	+5.43%

Volatility

VERS vs. IQQQ - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Metaverse ETF (VERS) has a higher volatility of 11.59% compared to ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF (IQQQ) at 7.78%. This indicates that VERS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IQQQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VERS	IQQQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.59%	7.78%	+3.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	24.68%	14.34%	+10.34%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	29.89%	17.62%	+12.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	31.71%	19.16%	+12.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	31.71%	19.16%	+12.55%

VERS vs. IQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VERS has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than IQQQ's 0.55% expense ratio.

Dividends

VERS vs. IQQQ - Dividend Comparison

VERS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%, less than IQQQ's 5.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
IQQQ ProShares Nasdaq-100 High Income ETF	5.25%	10.34%	7.27%	0.00%	0.00%
VERS ProShares Metaverse ETF	0.13%	0.52%	0.58%	0.63%	0.44%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VERS and IQQQ in my portfolio?

VERS and IQQQ have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VERS or IQQQ?

VERS has higher volatility (11.59%) compared to IQQQ (7.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VERS dropped -42.13% vs IQQQ's -20.41%.

Which ETF is better, VERS or IQQQ?

On 1-year performance, VERS leads with 33.57% vs 25.95% for IQQQ. On fees, IQQQ is cheaper at 0.55% per year. On volatility, IQQQ has been the lower-risk option at 7.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VERS or IQQQ?

Over the 1-year period, VERS has performed better with a 33.57% return vs 25.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VERS or IQQQ?

IQQQ is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for VERS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VERS or IQQQ?

IQQQ has the higher dividend yield at 5.25%, compared with 0.13% for VERS.

What is the main difference between VERS and IQQQ?

VERS is categorized as Technology Equities, while IQQQ is Nasdaq-100. VERS tracks Solactive Metaverse Theme Index - Benchmark TR Net, while IQQQ tracks Nasdaq-100 Daily Covered Call Index. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for VERS and 0.55% for IQQQ.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.48 vs 1.13), 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.