Leveraged ETFs: QLD Boasts More Tech Exposure Compared to SSO

Core Insights - ProShares - Ultra QQQ (QLD) has a deeper focus on technology, higher recent returns, and steeper drawdowns compared to ProShares - Ultra S&P500 (SSO), but it also has a marginally higher fee and lower yield [1][4] Cost & Size Comparison - Both QLD and SSO are leveraged ETFs from ProShares, with SSO tracking the S&P 500 and QLD targeting the Nasdaq-100 [2] - QLD has an expense ratio of 0.95%, while SSO has a lower expense ratio of 0.87% [3] - As of January 30, 2026, QLD's one-year return is 27.6%, compared to SSO's 21.0% [3] - QLD has a dividend yield of 0.2%, significantly lower than SSO's yield of 0.6% [3] - QLD has a higher beta of 2.31 compared to SSO's beta of 2.01, indicating greater price volatility [3] - QLD's assets under management (AUM) stand at $10.7 billion, while SSO has $7.8 billion [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, QLD experienced a maximum drawdown of -63.78%, while SSO had a drawdown of -46.77% [5] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $2,370 in QLD and $2,573 in SSO over five years [5] Portfolio Composition - QLD's portfolio is highly concentrated in technology (53%), with additional allocations in communication services (17%) and consumer cyclical stocks (13%) [6] - The top holdings in QLD include Nvidia Corp, Apple Inc, and Microsoft Corp, which make up a significant portion of its assets [6] - QLD holds 121 positions, while SSO has a more diversified allocation with over 500 companies, including technology (35%), financial services (13%), and communication services (11%) [7] Implications for Investors - Both QLD and SSO are notable options for investors seeking leveraged ETFs, with distinct characteristics that cater to different investment strategies [8]