QQQ vs UGL
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 vs ProShares Ultra Gold
Which is better, QQQ or UGL?
Each has led over a different period.
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window, UGL over 3Y 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 | UGL |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18%Best | 0.95% |
| AUM | $483.5B | $843M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.44% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 107 | 6 |
| YTD Return | +16.87%Best | -10.00% |
| 1Y Return | +22.98%Best | +22.29% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +24.98% | +52.55%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.39% | +28.21%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.8%Best | 33.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -35.1%Best | -75.9% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,586 | $34,643Best |
| Fund Family | Invesco (US) | ProShares |
| Category | Equity | Alternative |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | - |
| 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 Sep 11, 2026 (17.8 years).
QQQ vs UGL 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 17.8 years both funds cover.
QQQ vs UGL Performance
Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 (QQQ) is an ETF from Invesco (US) and ProShares Ultra Gold (UGL) is an ETF from ProShares. Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% while UGL returned +22.29%. Year to date, QQQ is up 16.87% versus a loss of 10.00% for UGL.
Over three years, QQQ compounded at +24.98% per year against +52.55% for UGL; over five years the annualized figures are +14.39% and +28.21% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, QQQ has the edge at +20.07% annualized vs +12.50%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
UGL has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 33.3% compared with 17.8% for QQQ. 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 -35.1% for QQQ and -75.9% for UGL. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.07. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QQQ charges 0.18% per year while UGL 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 UGL.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 102 holdings in QQQ and 1 in UGL, totalling 99.9% and 37.7% 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 UGL, against full books of 107 and 6.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QQQ and UGL 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 UGL?
QQQ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while UGL charges 0.95%. QQQ is the cheaper option, by $77 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, QQQ or UGL?
Over the past year QQQ returned +22.98% vs +22.29% for UGL, so QQQ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), QQQ annualized +20.07% vs +12.50% for UGL. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QQQ or UGL?
UGL has been the more volatile fund at 33.3% annualized versus 17.8% for QQQ. Worst drawdown: QQQ -35.1% vs UGL -75.9%.
Should I hold both QQQ and UGL?
QQQ and UGL have a monthly-return correlation of 0.07, 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 UGL?
QQQ yields 0.44% while UGL yields 0.00%, so QQQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is UGL better than QQQ?
QQQ has a lower expense ratio. QQQ led over 1Y and the full window, UGL over 3Y and 5Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.