QQQ vs SDP
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ProShares UltraShort Utilities
Which is better, QQQ or SDP?
Large Cap Growth against Trading-Inverse Equity.
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 | SDP |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $4M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 3.68% |
| Holdings | 107 | 4 |
| YTD Return | +17.95%Best | +8.78% |
| 1Y Return | +21.77%Best | +3.28% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +25.63%Best | -17.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.24%Best | -13.84% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 18.8%Best | 30.5% |
| Max Drawdown | -53.5% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,324Best | $4,748 |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Trading-Inverse Equity |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Jan 30, 2007 |
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).
QQQ vs SDP 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 SDP Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ProShares UltraShort Utilities (SDP) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% while SDP returned +3.28%. Year to date, QQQ is up 17.95% versus a gain of 8.78% for SDP.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +25.63% per year against -17.25% for SDP; over five years the annualized figures are +15.24% and -13.84% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +15.50% annualized vs -24.15%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SDP has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 30.5% 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 -0.36. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while SDP 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 0.44% against 3.68% for SDP.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and SDP 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 SDP?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while SDP charges 0.95%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or SDP?
Over the past year QQQ returned +21.77% vs +3.28% for SDP, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), QQQ annualized +15.50% vs -24.15% for SDP. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or SDP?
SDP has been the more volatile fund at 30.5% annualized versus 18.8% for QQQ.
Should I hold both QQQ and SDP?
QQQ and SDP have a monthly-return correlation of -0.36, 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 SDP?
QQQ yields 0.44% while SDP yields 3.68%, so SDP currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SDP 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.