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VTI vs. TQQQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VTI vs. TQQQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) and TQQQ (ProShares UltraPro QQQ) are both exchange-traded funds - VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index, while TQQQ is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VTI returned 15.02%/yr vs 44.55%/yr for TQQQ. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VTI charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for TQQQ.

Performance

VTI vs. TQQQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) and ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VTI achieves a 9.62% return, which is significantly lower than TQQQ's 47.28% return. Over the past 10 years, VTI has underperformed TQQQ with an annualized return of 15.02%, while TQQQ has yielded a comparatively higher 44.55% annualized return.

VTI

1D
0.57%
1M
-0.28%
YTD
9.62%
6M
9.69%
1Y
26.27%
3Y*
20.60%
5Y*
12.20%
10Y*
15.02%

TQQQ

1D
1.99%
1M
-1.81%
YTD
47.28%
6M
47.23%
1Y
114.36%
3Y*
59.79%
5Y*
24.34%
10Y*
44.55%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VTI vs. TQQQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		9.62%17.10%23.81%26.05%-19.52%25.68%21.08%30.67%-5.23%21.21%
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ		47.28%34.35%58.27%198.04%-79.09%82.98%110.05%133.84%-19.79%118.06%

Correlation

The correlation between VTI and TQQQ is 0.92, 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

0.92

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.92

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.93

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.90

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2010

0.90

The correlation between VTI and TQQQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

VTI vs. TQQQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VTI
TQQQ

Technology

33.5%
53.8%

Financial Services

12.0%
0.2%

Communication Services

10.3%
15.8%

Consumer Cyclical

10.0%
12.3%

Industrials

9.8%
2.8%

Healthcare

9.2%
4.2%

Consumer Defensive

4.7%
7.7%

Energy

3.7%
0.6%

Real Estate

2.4%
0.1%

Utilities

2.3%
1.4%

Basic Materials

2.0%
1.1%

Technology

VTI
33.5%
TQQQ
53.8%

Financial Services

VTI
12.0%
TQQQ
0.2%

Communication Services

VTI
10.3%
TQQQ
15.8%

Consumer Cyclical

VTI
10.0%
TQQQ
12.3%

Industrials

VTI
9.8%
TQQQ
2.8%

Healthcare

VTI
9.2%
TQQQ
4.2%

Consumer Defensive

VTI
4.7%
TQQQ
7.7%

Energy

VTI
3.7%
TQQQ
0.6%

Real Estate

VTI
2.4%
TQQQ
0.1%

Utilities

VTI
2.3%
TQQQ
1.4%

Basic Materials

VTI
2.0%
TQQQ
1.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF

ProShares UltraPro QQQ

Often compared with VTI:
VTI vs. VOOVTI vs. VXUSVTI vs. SPYVTI vs. VTVTI vs. SCHDVTI vs. FZROXVTI vs. QQQ
Often compared with TQQQ:
TQQQ vs. QQQTQQQ vs. SOXLTQQQ vs. QLDTQQQ vs. SQQQTQQQ vs. SPXLTQQQ vs. UPROTQQQ vs. TECL

Return for Risk

VTI vs. TQQQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VTI
VTI Risk / Return Rank: 7070
Overall Rank
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7070
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 6868
Sortino Ratio Rank
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 6969
Omega Ratio Rank
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 6464
Calmar Ratio Rank
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 7676
Martin Ratio Rank
TQQQ
TQQQ Risk / Return Rank: 6464
Overall Rank
TQQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7575
Sharpe Ratio Rank
TQQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 5959
Sortino Ratio Rank
TQQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
TQQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 6666
Calmar Ratio Rank
TQQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VTI vs. TQQQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) 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.

VTITQQQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.97
2.09

-0.12

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.67
2.42

+0.25

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.32

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.79

2.89

-0.10

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.52

9.26

+3.26

VTI vs. TQQQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VTI Sharpe Ratio is 1.97, which is comparable to the TQQQ Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VTI 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.

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Drawdowns

VTI vs. TQQQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VTI drawdown since its inception was -55.45%, smaller than the maximum TQQQ drawdown of -81.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VTI and TQQQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

VTITQQQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.45%

-81.66%

+26.21%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.92%

-36.97%

+28.05%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-19.30%

-58.04%

+38.74%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-25.36%

-81.66%

+56.30%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-35.00%

-81.66%

+46.66%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.14%

-11.12%

+8.98%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-8.02%

-18.51%

+10.49%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

11.52%

-9.53%

Volatility

VTI vs. TQQQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is 4.50%, while ProShares UltraPro QQQ (TQQQ) has a volatility of 22.79%. This indicates that VTI 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.

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Volatility by Period

VTITQQQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.50%

22.79%

-18.29%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.82%

41.26%

-31.44%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.64%

51.24%

-38.60%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.47%

67.02%

-49.55%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.33%

66.22%

-47.89%

VTI vs. TQQQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

VTI has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than TQQQ's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VTI vs. TQQQ - Dividend Comparison

VTI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, more than TQQQ's 0.41% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
TQQQ
ProShares UltraPro QQQ		0.41%0.65%1.27%1.26%0.57%0.00%0.00%0.06%0.11%0.00%0.00%0.01%
VTI
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF		1.03%1.12%1.27%1.44%1.66%1.21%1.42%1.78%2.04%1.71%1.92%1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.92, VTI and TQQQ 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.

TQQQ has higher volatility (22.79%) compared to VTI (4.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VTI dropped -55.45% vs TQQQ's -81.66%.

On 10-year performance, TQQQ leads with 44.55% vs 15.02% for VTI. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 4.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, TQQQ has performed better with a 44.55% return vs 15.02%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for TQQQ.

VTI has the higher dividend yield at 1.03%, compared with 0.41% for TQQQ.

VTI is categorized as Large Cap Blend Equities, while TQQQ is Leveraged Equities. VTI tracks CRSP US Total Market Index, while TQQQ tracks NASDAQ-100 Index (300%). They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VTI and 0.95% for TQQQ.

TQQQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.97), 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.

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