QQQ vs ZSL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ProShares UltraShort Silver
Which is better, QQQ or ZSL?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Inverse Commodities.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | QQQ | ZSL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $506.1B | $82M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.42% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 321 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +19.30%Best | -36.68% |
| 1Y Return | +22.47%Best | -75.09% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +26.18%Best | -66.09% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.42%Best | -50.53% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7%Best | 61.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,484Best | $296 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Inverse Commodities |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Dec 1, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 3, 2008 to Oct 14, 2026 (17.9 years).
QQQ vs ZSL 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
QQQ vs ZSL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ProShares UltraShort Silver (ZSL) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% while ZSL returned -75.09%. Year to date, QQQ is up 19.30% versus a loss of 36.68% for ZSL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +26.18% per year against -66.09% for ZSL; over five years the annualized figures are +15.42% and -50.53% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.10% annualized vs -41.19%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
ZSL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 61.0% compared with 17.7% for QQQ. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at -0.24. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while ZSL charges 0.95%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $95 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, QQQ currently yields 0.42% against 0.00% for ZSL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 101 holdings in QQQ and 1 in ZSL, totalling 99.6% and 22.6% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 101 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 1 in ZSL, against full books of 321 and 10.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and ZSL 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, QQQ or ZSL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while ZSL charges 0.95%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or ZSL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.47% vs -75.09% for ZSL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), QQQ annualized +20.10% vs -41.19% for ZSL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or ZSL?
ZSL has been the more volatile fund at 61.0% annualized versus 17.7% for QQQ.
Should I hold both QQQ and ZSL?
QQQ and ZSL have a monthly-return correlation of -0.24, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QQQ or ZSL?
QQQ yields 0.42% while ZSL yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is ZSL better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.