QQQ vs UCO
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil
Which is better, QQQ or UCO?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y and the full window, UCO over 1Y and 5Y.
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 | UCO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $460M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 9 |
| YTD Return | +22.20% | +162.74%Best |
| 1Y Return | +24.58% | +125.22%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +28.38%Best | +12.76% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +15.80% | +21.04%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.7%Best | 65.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1% | - |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $20,823 | $25,980Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | - |
| Inception | Mar 10, 1999 | Nov 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 25, 2008 to Sep 22, 2026 (17.8 years).
QQQ vs UCO 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 UCO Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil (UCO) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +24.58% while UCO returned +125.22%. Year to date, QQQ is up 22.20% versus a gain of 162.74% for UCO.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +28.38% per year against +12.76% for UCO; over five years the annualized figures are +15.80% and +21.04% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.41% annualized vs -23.07%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UCO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 65.1% 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 UCO 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 0.00% for UCO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1 in UCO, totalling 99.9% and 28.8% 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 102 positions we hold weights for in QQQ and 1 in UCO, against full books of 107 and 9.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and UCO 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 UCO?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while UCO charges 0.95%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or UCO?
Over the past year QQQ returned +24.58% vs +125.22% for UCO, so UCO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), QQQ annualized +20.41% vs -23.07% for UCO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or UCO?
UCO has been the more volatile fund at 65.1% annualized versus 17.7% for QQQ.
Should I hold both QQQ and UCO?
QQQ and UCO 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 UCO?
QQQ yields 0.44% while UCO yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UCO better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 3Y and the full window, UCO over 1Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.