VRTX vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) is a stock, while QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) is Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (200%). Over the past 10 years, VRTX returned 19.22%/yr vs 36.15%/yr for QLD. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VRTX vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) 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, VRTX achieves a 4.82% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 28.38% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTX has underperformed QLD with an annualized return of 19.22%, while QLD has yielded a comparatively higher 36.15% annualized return.

VRTX

• 1D: 1.45%
• 1M: 9.36%
• YTD: 4.82%
• 6M: 2.64%
• 1Y: 5.54%
• 3Y*: 11.05%
• 5Y*: 19.58%
• 10Y*: 19.22%

QLD

• 1D: -0.93%
• 1M: -2.93%
• YTD: 28.38%
• 6M: 24.28%
• 1Y: 60.38%
• 3Y*: 43.16%
• 5Y*: 21.23%
• 10Y*: 36.15%

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

VRTX vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	4.82%	12.58%	-1.03%	40.90%	31.50%	-7.08%	7.94%	32.13%	10.58%	103.42%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	28.38%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	54.67%	88.90%	81.69%	-8.31%	70.34%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTX and QLD is 0.16, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.16
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.29
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 21, 2006	0.45

Over the past year, the correlation between VRTX and QLD has dropped to 0.16 - well below their long-term average of 0.45, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VRTX vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTX

VRTX Risk / Return Rank: 47
VRTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
VRTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
VRTX Omega Ratio Rank: 45
VRTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
VRTX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 52
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 50
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 52

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.

VRTX vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) 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.

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.

	VRTX	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.16	1.70	-1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.44	2.17	-1.73
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.07	1.29	-0.22
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.24	2.41	-2.18
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.49	8.15	-7.66

VRTX vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTX Sharpe Ratio is 0.16, which is lower than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTX 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.

Drawdowns

VRTX vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTX drawdown since its inception was -91.77%, which is greater than QLD's maximum drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTX and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTX	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.77%	-83.13%	-8.64%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.56%	-25.13%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.07%	-42.29%	+13.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.07%	-63.68%	+34.61%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.60%	-63.68%	+22.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.04%	-10.11%	+2.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.71%	-18.14%	-19.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.36%	7.43%	+3.93%

Volatility

VRTX vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) is 7.77%, while ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a volatility of 18.22%. This indicates that VRTX 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

	VRTX	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.77%	18.22%	-10.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.98%	28.88%	-7.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.21%	35.74%	-1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.55%	45.34%	-16.79%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.73%	44.79%	-12.06%

Dividends

VRTX vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

VRTX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.13%.

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%
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRTX and QLD in my portfolio?

VRTX and QLD have a correlation of 0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRTX or QLD?

QLD has higher volatility (18.22%) compared to VRTX (7.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTX dropped -91.77% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.70 vs 0.16), 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.