VOO vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while QLD is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VOO returned 15.35%/yr vs 35.29%/yr for QLD. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VOO charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

VOO vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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, VOO achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 31.05% return. Over the past 10 years, VOO has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 15.35%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 35.29% annualized return.

VOO

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 6M: 8.77%
• 1Y: 24.91%
• 3Y*: 21.45%
• 5Y*: 13.49%
• 10Y*: 15.35%

QLD

• 1D: 3.03%
• 1M: 0.58%
• YTD: 31.05%
• 6M: 26.63%
• 1Y: 69.67%
• 3Y*: 46.32%
• 5Y*: 23.57%
• 10Y*: 35.29%

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

VOO vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	8.72%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	31.05%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between VOO and QLD is 0.93, 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	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2010	0.90

The correlation between VOO and QLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

VOO vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VOO	QLD
Technology	35.7%	53.8%
Financial Services	11.6%	0.2%
Communication Services	11.3%	15.8%
Consumer Cyclical	10.2%	12.3%
Healthcare	8.5%	4.2%
Industrials	8.3%	2.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.9%	7.7%
Energy	3.5%	0.6%
Utilities	2.4%	1.4%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.1%
Basic Materials	1.8%	1.1%

Return for Risk

VOO vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 69
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 75

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 63
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 59

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.

VOO vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) 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.

	VOO	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.08	2.10	-0.02
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	2.52	+0.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.34	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	2.79	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.97	9.64	+3.33
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VOO vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VOO Sharpe Ratio is 2.08, which is comparable to the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VOO 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

	VOO	QLD	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.08	2.10	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80	0.53	+0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85	0.79	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.88	0.58	+0.29

Drawdowns

VOO vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VOO drawdown since its inception was -33.99%, smaller than the maximum QLD drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VOO and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VOO	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.99%	-83.13%	+49.14%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.90%	-25.13%	+16.23%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.69%	-42.29%	+23.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.52%	-63.68%	+39.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.99%	-63.68%	+29.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.66%	-8.24%	+5.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.69%	-18.16%	+14.47%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.92%	7.25%	-5.33%

Volatility

VOO vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is 3.73%, while ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a volatility of 13.78%. This indicates that VOO 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

	VOO	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.73%	13.78%	-10.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.31%	26.34%	-17.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.08%	33.42%	-21.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.85%	44.95%	-28.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.03%	44.68%	-26.65%

VOO vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

VOO has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VOO vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

VOO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.05%, 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%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.05%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VOO and QLD in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VOO 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, VOO or QLD?

QLD has higher volatility (13.78%) compared to VOO (3.73%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VOO dropped -33.99% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, VOO or QLD?

On 10-year performance, QLD leads with 35.29% vs 15.35% for VOO. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 3.73%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VOO or QLD?

Over the 10-year period, QLD has performed better with a 35.29% return vs 15.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VOO or QLD?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QLD.

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

VOO has the higher dividend yield at 1.05%, compared with 0.13% for QLD.

What is the main difference between VOO and QLD?

VOO is categorized as S&P 500, while QLD is Leveraged Equities. VOO tracks S&P 500 Index, while QLD tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VOO and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 2.08), 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.