SQMX vs UPRO
FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF vs ProShares UltraPro S&P 500
Which is better, SQMX or UPRO?
UPRO has been ahead.
SQMX has a lower expense ratio. UPRO led over 1Y 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 | SQMX | UPRO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.85%Best | 0.88% |
| AUM | $55M | $5.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.77% |
| Holdings | 10 | 520 |
| YTD Return | +4.77% | +29.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +7.41% | +38.25%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +51.43% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +19.36% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 2.8%Best | 39.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -7.4%Best | -49.0% |
| $10,000 over 1.8 years | $11,346 | $16,136Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Dec 20, 2024 | Jun 23, 2009 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.8 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 23, 2024 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.8 years).
SQMX vs UPRO 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 1.8 years both funds cover.
SQMX vs UPRO Performance
FT Vest US Equity Quarterly Max Buffer ETF (SQMX) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and ProShares UltraPro S&P 500 (UPRO) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year SQMX returned +7.41% while UPRO returned +38.25%. Year to date, SQMX is up 4.77% versus a gain of 29.25% for UPRO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UPRO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 39.3% compared with 2.8% for SQMX. 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 -7.4% for SQMX and -49.0% for UPRO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.87. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SQMX charges 0.85% per year while UPRO charges 0.88%. On a $10,000 position that is $85 vs $88 annually, a gap of $3 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, SQMX currently yields 0.00% against 0.77% for UPRO.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SQMX and UPRO 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, SQMX or UPRO?
SQMX has an expense ratio of 0.85% while UPRO charges 0.88%. SQMX is the cheaper option, by $3 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, SQMX or UPRO?
Over the past year SQMX returned +7.41% vs +38.25% for UPRO, so UPRO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), SQMX annualized +7.27% vs +30.45% for UPRO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SQMX or UPRO?
UPRO has been the more volatile fund at 39.3% annualized versus 2.8% for SQMX. Worst drawdown: SQMX -7.4% vs UPRO -49.0%.
Should I hold both SQMX and UPRO?
SQMX and UPRO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.87, 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, SQMX or UPRO?
SQMX yields 0.00% while UPRO yields 0.77%, so UPRO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UPRO better than SQMX?
SQMX has a lower expense ratio. UPRO led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.