XDQQ vs. QLD

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

XDQQ (Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly) and QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) are both Leveraged Equities funds. XDQQ is actively managed, while QLD is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XDQQ returned 7.91%/yr vs 23.39%/yr for QLD. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XDQQ charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for QLD.

Performance

XDQQ vs. QLD - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly (XDQQ) 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, XDQQ achieves a 2.90% return, which is significantly lower than QLD's 38.76% return.

XDQQ

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 2.90%
• 6M: 1.93%
• 1Y: 16.88%
• 3Y*: 17.61%
• 5Y*: 7.91%
• 10Y*: —

QLD

• 1D: -0.23%
• 1M: 4.92%
• YTD: 38.76%
• 6M: 36.36%
• 1Y: 82.33%
• 3Y*: 46.92%
• 5Y*: 23.39%
• 10Y*: 37.21%

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

XDQQ vs. QLD - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
XDQQ Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly	2.90%	13.75%	31.47%	30.15%	-33.74%	18.52%
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	38.76%	30.36%	42.82%	117.72%	-60.52%	51.92%

Correlation

The correlation between XDQQ and QLD is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.91
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2021	0.93

The correlation between XDQQ and QLD has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

XDQQ vs. QLD - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XDQQ	QLD
Technology	50.7%	58.7%
Communication Services	15.8%	14.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.5%	11.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.7%	6.4%
Healthcare	5.1%	3.7%
Industrials	3.3%	2.6%
Utilities	1.6%	1.2%
Basic Materials	1.3%	1.0%
Energy	0.7%	0.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	0.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	0.1%

Return for Risk

XDQQ vs. QLD — Risk / Return Rank

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

XDQQ

XDQQ Risk / Return Rank: 36
XDQQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 35
XDQQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
XDQQ Omega Ratio Rank: 40
XDQQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XDQQ Martin Ratio Rank: 42

QLD

QLD Risk / Return Rank: 67
QLD Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
QLD Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
QLD Omega Ratio Rank: 65
QLD Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
QLD Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

XDQQ vs. QLD - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly (XDQQ) 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.

	XDQQ	QLD	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.23	2.36	-1.13
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	2.79	-1.10
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.37	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.43	3.29	-1.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.50	11.19	-4.69

XDQQ vs. QLD - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XDQQ Sharpe Ratio is 1.23, which is lower than the QLD Sharpe Ratio of 2.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XDQQ 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

XDQQ vs. QLD - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XDQQ drawdown since its inception was -35.63%, smaller than the maximum QLD drawdown of -83.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XDQQ and QLD.

Drawdown Indicators

	XDQQ	QLD	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.63%	-83.13%	+47.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.84%	-25.13%	+13.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.17%	-42.29%	+19.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.63%	-63.68%	+28.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-63.68%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.83%	+2.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.73%	-18.14%	+7.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.60%	7.38%	-4.78%

Volatility

XDQQ vs. QLD - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly (XDQQ) is 0.63%, while ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a volatility of 16.77%. This indicates that XDQQ 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

	XDQQ	QLD	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.63%	16.77%	-16.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.56%	28.19%	-17.63%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.82%	35.17%	-21.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.80%	45.24%	-25.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.56%	44.82%	-25.26%

XDQQ vs. QLD - Expense Ratio Comparison

XDQQ has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than QLD's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

XDQQ vs. QLD - Dividend Comparison

XDQQ has not paid dividends to shareholders, while QLD's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.12%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
QLD ProShares Ultra QQQ	0.12%	0.17%	0.25%	0.33%	0.31%	0.00%	0.00%	0.13%	0.06%	0.02%	0.21%	0.11%
XDQQ Innovator Growth Accelerated ETF - Quarterly	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 XDQQ and QLD in my portfolio?

XDQQ and QLD have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, XDQQ or QLD?

QLD has higher volatility (16.77%) compared to XDQQ (0.63%). In terms of maximum drawdown, XDQQ dropped -35.63% vs QLD's -83.13%.

Which ETF is better, XDQQ or QLD?

On 5-year performance, QLD leads with 23.39% vs 7.91% for XDQQ. On fees, XDQQ is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, XDQQ has been the lower-risk option at 0.63%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, XDQQ or QLD?

Over the 5-year period, QLD has performed better with a 23.39% return vs 7.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, XDQQ or QLD?

XDQQ is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for QLD.

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

QLD has the higher dividend yield at 0.12%, compared with 0.00% for XDQQ.

What is the main difference between XDQQ and QLD?

They also come from different issuers: Innovator and ProShares. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for XDQQ and 0.95% for QLD.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

QLD currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.36 vs 1.23), 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.