Better Leveraged ETF Buy: Is Tech-Heavy QLD or S&P 500-Focused SSO the Right Choice for Investors?

Core Insights - The ProShares - Ultra QQQ ETF (QLD) and ProShares - Ultra S&P 500 ETF (SSO) aim to double the daily returns of their respective indexes, with QLD tracking the Nasdaq-100 and SSO tracking the S&P 500 [1][7] Cost & Size Comparison - QLD has an expense ratio of 0.95%, while SSO has a lower expense ratio of 0.87% [2] - As of February 2, 2026, QLD has a 1-year return of 29.85%, compared to SSO's 23.67% [2] - QLD has a lower dividend yield of 0.17% compared to SSO's 0.68% [2] - QLD has an Assets Under Management (AUM) of $11 billion, while SSO has an AUM of $8 billion [2] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over a 5-year period, QLD experienced a maximum drawdown of -63.68%, while SSO had a drawdown of -46.73% [4] - An investment of $1,000 would grow to $2,403 in QLD and $2,601 in SSO over 5 years [4] Portfolio Composition - QLD allocates 53% of its portfolio to technology, 17% to communication services, and 13% to consumer cyclical stocks, with top holdings including Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft [5] - SSO has a broader sector mix with 35% in technology, 13% in financial services, and 11% in communication services, also featuring Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft among its largest positions [6] Investment Implications - Leveraged ETFs like QLD and SSO carry higher risk but can offer significant returns, with QLD being more suitable for risk-tolerant investors seeking tech exposure, while SSO may appeal to those looking for slightly more stability [10]