DUG vs QQQ
ProShares UltraShort Energy vs Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1
Which is better, DUG or QQQ?
Trading-Inverse Equity against Large Cap Growth.
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 | DUG | QQQ |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.95% | 0.18%Best |
| AUM | $31M | $483.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.28% | 0.44% |
| Holdings | 7 | 107 |
| YTD Return | -53.27% | +17.95%Best |
| 1Y Return | -56.20% | +21.77%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | -26.86% | +25.63%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -43.10% | +15.24%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 47.8% | 18.8%Best |
| Max Drawdown | - | -53.5% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $596 | $20,324Best |
| Fund Family | ProShares | Invesco (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Equity |
| Style | Trading-Inverse Equity | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Jan 30, 2007 | Mar 10, 1999 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 1, 2007 to Sep 18, 2026 (19.6 years).
DUG vs QQQ 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.
DUG vs QQQ Performance
ProShares UltraShort Energy (DUG) is an ETF from ProShares and Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US). Over the past year DUG returned -56.20% while QQQ returned +21.77%. Year to date, DUG is down 53.27% versus a gain of 17.95% for QQQ.
Over three years, DUG compounded at -26.86% per year against +25.63% for QQQ; over five years the annualized figures are -43.10% and +15.24% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.50% annualized vs -31.48%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
DUG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 47.8% compared with 18.8% 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 -0.38. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
DUG charges 0.95% per year while QQQ charges 0.18%. On a $10,000 position that is $95 vs $18 annually, a gap of $77 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, DUG currently yields 5.28% against 0.44% for QQQ.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 1 holding in DUG and 102 in QQQ, totalling 44.4% and 99.9% 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 1 positions we hold weights for in DUG and 102 in QQQ, against full books of 7 and 107.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of DUG and QQQ 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, DUG or QQQ?
DUG has an expense ratio of 0.95% while QQQ charges 0.18%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, DUG or QQQ?
Over the past year DUG returned -56.20% vs +21.77% for QQQ, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), DUG annualized -31.48% vs +15.50% for QQQ. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, DUG or QQQ?
DUG has been the more volatile fund at 47.8% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ.
Should I hold both DUG and QQQ?
DUG and QQQ have a monthly-return correlation of -0.38, 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, DUG or QQQ?
DUG yields 5.28% while QQQ yields 0.44%, so DUG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QQQ better than DUG?
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.