PSQ vs SQQQ
ProShares Short QQQ vs ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ
Which is better, PSQ or SQQQ?
Nearly the same fund. SQQQ costs less.
SQQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | PSQ | SQQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.94%Best |
| AUM | $603M | $2.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 4.19% | 9.45% |
| Holdings | 17 | 20 |
| YTD Return | -14.62%Best | -45.78% |
| 1Y Return | -16.03%Best | -50.03% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -18.28%Best | -54.46% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -12.73%Best | -45.93% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.7%Best | 48.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -97.6% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $5,062Best | $462 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Feb 9, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 11, 2010 to Oct 14, 2026 (16.7 years).
PSQ vs SQQQ growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 16.7 years both funds cover.
PSQ vs SQQQ Performance
ProShares Short QQQ (PSQ) is an ETF from ProShares and ProShares UltraPro Short QQQ (SQQQ) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year PSQ returned -16.03% while SQQQ returned -50.03%. Year to date, PSQ is down 14.62% versus a loss of 45.78% for SQQQ.
Over three years, PSQ compounded at -18.28% per year against -54.46% for SQQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -12.73% and -45.93% respectively. Across the full 17-year window we track, PSQ has the edge at -18.50% annualized vs -52.63%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SQQQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 48.2% compared with 16.7% for PSQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.99. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
PSQ charges 0.95% per year while SQQQ charges 0.94%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $94 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, PSQ currently yields 4.19% against 9.45% for SQQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in PSQ and 1 in SQQQ, totalling 75.5% and 64.3% of the two funds. Neither is a share of a fund we can divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
1 positions in common, counted across the 1 positions we hold weights for in PSQ and 1 in SQQQ, against full books of 17 and 20.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in PSQ | Weight in SQQQ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| IQMMProshares Genius Mny Mkt Etf | 75.45% | 64.32% | 11.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of PSQ and SQQQ you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, PSQ or SQQQ?
PSQ has an expense ratio of 0.95% while SQQQ charges 0.94%. SQQQ is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, PSQ or SQQQ?
Over the past year PSQ returned -16.03% vs -50.03% for SQQQ, so PSQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (17 years), PSQ annualized -18.50% vs -52.63% for SQQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, PSQ or SQQQ?
SQQQ has been the more volatile fund at 48.2% annualized versus 16.7% for PSQ.
Should I hold both PSQ and SQQQ?
PSQ and SQQQ have a monthly-return correlation of 0.99, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, PSQ or SQQQ?
PSQ yields 4.19% while SQQQ yields 9.45%, so SQQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SQQQ better than PSQ?
SQQQ has a lower expense ratio. PSQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.99. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.