QLD vs. SSO: A Dividend Hunter’s Dilemma

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Right. So, I’m supposed to be a sensible investor. A dividend hunter, even. Which, let’s be honest, feels a bit like being a truffle pig in a world obsessed with instant ramen. I’ve been looking at these leveraged ETFs – QLD (ProShares Ultra QQQ) and SSO (ProShares Ultra S&P 500) – and it’s all a bit…much. They promise double the daily return of the Nasdaq-100 or the S&P 500. Double! It’s tempting, isn’t it? Like that extra slice of chocolate cake when you know you should be having a salad.

Units of Leveraged ETFs Considered: 2. Hours Spent Trying to Understand Daily Resets: 7. Number of Times I’ve Questioned My Life Choices: Too many to count.

The Snapshot (Cost & Size)

Metric SSO QLD
Issuer ProShares ProShares
Expense ratio 0.88% 0.98%
1-yr return (as of 2/4/2026) 21.3% 20.64%
Dividend yield 1.14% 0.16%
Beta 2.03 2.28
AUM $8.12 billion $10.75 billion

Okay, so SSO is marginally cheaper, which is a small victory. But the dividend yield on QLD…0.16%? Honestly, I get more interest on my current account. It’s a bit like searching for a bargain and finding a slightly dented lemon. Still a lemon. And that higher beta on QLD… it just feels…excitable. Like a puppy that’s had too much sugar.

Performance & Risk: A Necessary Evil?

Metric SSO QLD
Max drawdown (5 y) (46.73%) (63.68%)
Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $2,401 $2,143

Right, the drawdown. That’s the bit where your money vanishes into thin air. QLD’s is…significant. It’s the kind of number that makes you want to hide under the duvet. SSO is bad enough, of course, but comparatively…less terrifying. The five-year growth figure is interesting, though. SSO wins, but it feels like a Pyrrhic victory. Like winning a race, but losing your shoes in the process.

Inside the Beast: What Are We Actually Buying?

QLD, apparently, is all about the tech. Nasdaq-100, 101 stocks, 53% tech, 16% communication services, 13% consumer cyclical. Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft. The usual suspects. It’s a bit like going to a party and realizing everyone is wearing the same outfit. Predictable, but slightly unsettling. And it resets its leverage daily, which sounds…complex. Like a Rubik’s Cube designed by a sadist.

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SSO, on the other hand, is a bit more…spread out. 503 holdings. Still has the tech giants, but also some financial services and communication services thrown in for good measure. It’s a bit like a buffet. More choice, but also more potential for disappointment.

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The Bottom Line (and My Anxiety Level)

Both these funds are designed for tactical trading, not long-term investing. Which, let’s be honest, is not really my forte. I’m more of a “buy and forget” kind of girl. The daily resets, the leverage…it all feels a bit too…active. Like trying to juggle chainsaws while riding a unicycle. SSO’s broader diversification is slightly more appealing, if only because it feels marginally less likely to bankrupt me overnight. But QLD’s tech focus is tempting. It’s the siren song of potential riches, but with a very real risk of shipwreck.

Hours Spent Researching Alternative, Less Stressful Investments: 4. Number of Times I’ve Considered Becoming a Goat Farmer: 1. The dividend yield on these things is pathetic. I think I’ll stick to my boring, reliable dividend stocks. At least I’ll get some actual income, and my blood pressure will thank me.

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2026-02-13 15:12