ZS vs. PSQ

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

ZS (Zscaler, Inc.) is a stock, while PSQ (ProShares Short QQQ) is Inverse Equities fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index (-100%). Over the past 5 years, ZS returned -9.02%/yr vs -13.78%/yr for PSQ. At a correlation of -0.56, they often move in opposite directions.

Performance

ZS vs. PSQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) and ProShares Short QQQ (PSQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZS achieves a -42.42% return, which is significantly lower than PSQ's -14.02% return.

ZS

• 1D: 2.70%
• 1M: -15.03%
• YTD: -42.42%
• 6M: -45.18%
• 1Y: -57.03%
• 3Y*: -6.33%
• 5Y*: -9.02%
• 10Y*: —

PSQ

• 1D: -0.65%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: -14.02%
• 6M: -14.04%
• 1Y: -23.41%
• 3Y*: -17.58%
• 5Y*: -13.78%
• 10Y*: -19.15%

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

ZS vs. PSQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ZS Zscaler, Inc.	-42.42%	24.67%	-18.57%	98.00%	-65.18%	60.90%	329.48%	18.59%	42.58%
PSQ ProShares Short QQQ	-14.02%	-15.51%	-15.68%	-32.01%	36.40%	-24.84%	-41.23%	-27.49%	8.11%

Correlation

The correlation between ZS and PSQ is -0.36, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.54
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 16, 2018	-0.56

Over the past year, the inverse relationship between ZS and PSQ has weakened: their correlation has moved from -0.56 to -0.36, meaning they move in opposite directions less often than they have historically.

Return for Risk

ZS vs. PSQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZS

ZS Risk / Return Rank: 6
ZS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
ZS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
ZS Omega Ratio Rank: 5
ZS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
ZS Martin Ratio Rank: 5

PSQ

PSQ Risk / Return Rank: 1
PSQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 0
PSQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 1
PSQ Omega Ratio Rank: 1
PSQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 2
PSQ Martin Ratio Rank: 0

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.

ZS vs. PSQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) and ProShares Short QQQ (PSQ). 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.

	ZS	PSQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.97	-1.36	+0.39
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.34	-2.04	+0.70
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.79	0.78	+0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.88	-0.87	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.55	-1.81	+0.26

ZS vs. PSQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZS Sharpe Ratio is -0.97, which is comparable to the PSQ Sharpe Ratio of -1.36. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZS and PSQ, 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

ZS vs. PSQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZS drawdown since its inception was -76.41%, smaller than the maximum PSQ drawdown of -98.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZS and PSQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZS	PSQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.41%	-98.26%	+21.85%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-64.89%	-26.86%	-38.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-64.89%	-49.65%	-15.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-76.41%	-60.91%	-15.50%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-88.98%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-64.88%	-98.20%	+33.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.68%	-73.99%	+41.31%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	36.90%	12.96%	+23.94%

Volatility

ZS vs. PSQ - Volatility Comparison

Zscaler, Inc. (ZS) has a higher volatility of 44.34% compared to ProShares Short QQQ (PSQ) at 7.39%. This indicates that ZS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZS	PSQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	44.34%	7.39%	+36.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	57.43%	13.75%	+43.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	58.73%	17.23%	+41.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	56.07%	22.59%	+33.48%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	58.78%	22.34%	+36.44%

Dividends

ZS vs. PSQ - Dividend Comparison

ZS has not paid dividends to shareholders, while PSQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PSQ ProShares Short QQQ	5.09%	4.97%	7.15%	6.01%	0.35%	0.00%	0.31%	1.75%	0.95%	0.02%
ZS Zscaler, Inc.	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 ZS and PSQ in my portfolio?

ZS and PSQ have a correlation of -0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, ZS or PSQ?

ZS has higher volatility (44.34%) compared to PSQ (7.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ZS dropped -76.41% vs PSQ's -98.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ZS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.97 vs -1.36), 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.