QLD vs QSPT
ProShares Ultra QQQ vs FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - September
Which is better, QLD or QSPT?
Nearly the same fund. QLD costs less.
QLD has a lower expense ratio. QLD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96.
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 | QLD | QSPT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89%Best | 0.90% |
| AUM | $15.2B | $721M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.13% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 127 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +32.18%Best | +14.93% |
| 1Y Return | +36.70%Best | +17.64% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +43.74%Best | +17.96% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +19.62%Best | +12.63% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 41.8% | 13.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -63.7% | -22.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $24,492Best | $18,125 |
| Fund Family | ProShares | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jun 19, 2006 | Sep 17, 2021 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 20, 2021 to Oct 14, 2026 (5.1 years).
QLD vs QSPT 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 5.1 years both funds cover.
QLD vs QSPT Performance
ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) is an ETF from ProShares and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Buffer ETF - September (QSPT) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year QLD returned +36.70% while QSPT returned +17.64%. Year to date, QLD is up 32.18% versus a gain of 14.93% for QSPT.
Over three years, QLD compounded at +43.74% per year against +17.96% for QSPT; over five years the annualized figures are +19.62% and +12.63% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QLD has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 41.8% compared with 13.4% for QSPT. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -63.7% for QLD and -22.6% for QSPT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QLD charges 0.89% per year while QSPT charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $90 annually, a gap of $1 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QLD currently yields 0.13% against 0.00% for QSPT.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QLD and QSPT 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, QLD or QSPT?
QLD has an expense ratio of 0.89% while QSPT charges 0.90%. QLD is the cheaper option, by $1 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QLD or QSPT?
Over the past year QLD returned +36.70% vs +17.64% for QSPT, so QLD leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QLD or QSPT?
QLD has been the more volatile fund at 41.8% annualized versus 13.4% for QSPT. Worst drawdown: QLD -63.7% vs QSPT -22.6%.
Should I hold both QLD and QSPT?
QLD and QSPT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, 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, QLD or QSPT?
QLD yields 0.13% while QSPT yields 0.00%, so QLD currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QSPT better than QLD?
QLD has a lower expense ratio. QLD led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.