The ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) is an exchange-traded fund that offers 2x daily long leverage to the NASDAQ-100 Index, making it a powerful tool for investors with a bullish short-term outlook for technology equities. QLD's leverage resets on a daily basis, which results in compounding returns when held for multiple periods. QLD can be a powerful tool for sophisticated investors but should be avoided by those with a low-risk tolerance or a buy-and-hold strategy.
The fund provides 2x leveraged exposure to a modified market-cap-weighted index of 100 large non-financial stocks listed on NASDAQ. QLD was launched on June 19, 2006, and is issued by ProShares.
When considering whether to invest in QLD, it is important to understand your investment goals and risk tolerance. QLD can provide magnified gains but will also magnify losses. It is a high-risk, high-reward option that can be suitable for investors seeking to overweight the technology sector without additional cash.
Before investing, be sure to do your own research and consult with a financial professional to determine if QLD aligns with your investment strategy and risk profile.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
ETF Name | QLD |
ETF Provider | ProShares |
Stock Exchange | NYSEARCA |
Index Tracked | NASDAQ-100 Index |
Inception | Jun 19, 2006 |
Asset Class Size | Large-Cap |
Asset Class Style | Growth |
Region | North America, U.S. |
Investment Objective | 2x daily performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index |
Dividend Yield | 0.80% |
Avg. Index Market Capitalization | $272.26 billion |
What You'll Learn
QLD ETF's investment objective
The ProShares Ultra QQQ ETF (QLD) is an exchange-traded fund that seeks to provide investors with daily investment results that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index. This means that for every 1% change in the Nasdaq-100 Index, QLD will aim to deliver a 2% change in its own performance.
QLD's investment objective is to offer magnified exposure to the Nasdaq-100 Index, which is designed to track the performance of 100 large, non-financial stocks listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. By investing in QLD, investors are seeking to amplify the potential gains associated with the Nasdaq-100 Index, although it is important to note that losses will also be magnified.
The fund was launched on June 19, 2006, and is issued by ProShares. QLD resets its leverage on a daily basis, which can result in compounding returns when held for multiple periods. This feature makes QLD a powerful tool for sophisticated investors with a bullish short-term outlook for technology equities. However, due to the magnified exposure, it may not be suitable for investors with a low-risk tolerance or a long-term buy-and-hold investment strategy.
In summary, the QLD ETF's investment objective is to provide investors with a way to gain leveraged exposure to the performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index, offering the potential for amplified returns over shorter time periods.
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QLD ETF's performance
The ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) ETF offers 2x daily long leverage to the NASDAQ-100 Index, making it a powerful tool for investors with a bullish short-term outlook for technology equities. QLD's leverage resets on a daily basis, which results in compounding returns when held for multiple periods.
The ETF has been described as a "high-risk, high-reward option" and "technology stocks and the NASDAQ-100 composite are more volatile than the S&P 500". QLD has been said to be a powerful tool for sophisticated investors but should be avoided by those with a low-risk tolerance or a buy-and-hold strategy.
The performance of the QLD ETF has been compared to that of the S&P 500, with one source stating that "QLD has outperformed the S&P 500 by over 10% YTD". Another source states that "investing in leveraged versions of the S&P 500 is nearly guaranteed to beat the market given a sufficiently long time span".
The QLD ETF has also been compared to other funds, such as the ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Closed-End Fund ETN (CEFL). One source states that "CEFL has a lower risk than QLD and yet higher return within the limit timeframe available for comparison analysis".
Overall, the QLD ETF has been described as having a "strong long-term track record", with an average annual return of 28.5% since February 6th, 2010. However, it is important to note that the performance of the QLD ETF may fluctuate and that investing in leveraged ETFs carries a higher risk.
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QLD ETF's risk
The ProShares Ultra QQQ (QLD) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the NASDAQ-100 index. The fund provides 2x leveraged exposure to a modified market-cap-weighted index of 100 large non-financial stocks listed on NASDAQ. QLD is issued by ProShares and has been characterised as a "high-risk, high-reward" investment option.
The fund has a daily investment objective, seeking to provide returns that correspond to two times the daily performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index. However, investors can hold shares for longer than a day if it aligns with their goals and risk tolerance. It's important to note that for holding periods longer than a day, returns may deviate significantly from the daily target. This is due to the compounding effect of the fund's daily leverage.
The QLD ETF is considered a sophisticated investment tool that can be beneficial for investors with a bullish short-term outlook for technology equities. However, it is not suitable for those with low-risk tolerance or a buy-and-hold investment strategy.
As with any investment, there are risks involved with the QLD ETF. The leveraged structure of the fund can amplify both gains and losses. Additionally, factors such as index volatility and the duration of the holding period can significantly impact returns.
Investors should carefully consider their financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon before investing in the QLD ETF. It is crucial to monitor geared fund investments periodically to ensure they remain aligned with an investor's risk tolerance and overall investment strategy.
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QLD ETF's dividend
The ProShares Ultra QQQ ETF (QLD) offers investors a way to gain leveraged exposure to the NASDAQ-100 Index, providing 2x daily long leverage. This means that the ETF aims to deliver twice the daily performance of the underlying index, which is designed to track the performance of 100 large, non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
When considering an investment in any ETF, it is important to look at its dividend payments as these can provide a source of income for investors. QLD has a dividend yield of 0.26% and paid out $0.29 per share in the past year. The dividend is paid quarterly, and the last ex-dividend date was September 25, 2024.
It is worth noting that the dividend yield for QLD may differ from the dividend yield of the underlying NASDAQ-100 Index. This is because QLD invests in derivatives and financial instruments that aim to replicate the price returns of the index, but these derivatives may not generate dividend income. As a result, investors in QLD may not receive dividend distributions that exactly match those of the NASDAQ-100 Index.
Overall, QLD can be a powerful tool for investors seeking to magnify their gains in the technology sector, but it is important to remember that it can also magnify losses. The leveraged nature of QLD makes it more suitable for sophisticated investors with a higher risk tolerance and a short-term bullish outlook for technology equities.
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QLD ETF's suitability for your portfolio
The suitability of QLD ETFs for your portfolio depends on several factors, including your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Here's an overview to help you decide if QLD ETFs are a good fit for your portfolio:
Investment Objective and Strategy
QLD ETFs, such as the ProShares Ultra QQQ, aim to provide daily investment results that correspond to twice the daily performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. This means that QLD ETFs offer leveraged exposure to a portfolio of large non-financial stocks listed on the NASDAQ. If you believe that the NASDAQ-100 Index will perform well and you want to amplify potential gains, then QLD ETFs can be a suitable addition to your portfolio.
Risk and Volatility
QLD ETFs are considered high-risk, high-reward investments due to their leveraged nature. While they can provide significant returns during bullish markets, they can also magnify losses during market downturns. It's important to remember that the more extreme index gains or losses, and the higher the index volatility, the more your returns may deviate from the daily target. Therefore, QLD ETFs are more suitable for sophisticated investors with a high-risk tolerance and a bullish short-term outlook for technology equities. If you have a low-risk tolerance or prefer a buy-and-hold strategy, QLD ETFs may not be the best fit for your portfolio.
Time Horizon
QLD ETFs are designed for short-term investment horizons. While you can hold QLD ETF shares for longer than one day, it's important to periodically monitor your investment and consider its alignment with your goals and risk tolerance. The longer you hold QLD ETFs, the more your returns may deviate from the daily target, and the potential impact of compounding returns or losses increases.
Diversification
QLD ETFs provide exposure to a diverse range of large non-financial stocks across various sectors, including technology, consumer goods, healthcare, and energy. This diversification can help reduce the standalone risk of your investment. However, it's important to note that QLD ETFs are still subject to market risk, and their performance is closely tied to the overall performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index.
Historical Performance
QLD ETFs have historically performed well, with the ProShares Ultra QQQ ETF outperforming the S&P 500 by over 10% at certain periods. Additionally, since February 6th, 2010, QLD has generated an average annual return of 28.5%. However, past performance does not guarantee future results, and it's important to consider the potential impact of changing market conditions.
In summary, QLD ETFs can be a suitable addition to your portfolio if you have a high-risk tolerance, a short-term investment horizon, and a bullish outlook for the NASDAQ-100 Index. They offer the potential for amplified returns but also come with the risk of magnified losses. It's important to carefully consider your investment goals and risk tolerance before adding QLD ETFs to your portfolio.
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Frequently asked questions
QLD stands for Ultra QQQ, which refers to the fact that it provides 2x leveraged exposure to the NASDAQ-100 Index.
QLD seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index.
QLD is a leveraged ETF, which means it comes with a higher level of risk compared to non-leveraged funds. The risks include those associated with the use of derivatives, imperfect benchmark correlation, leverage, and market price variance. QLD's leverage also means that it is not suitable for investors with low-risk tolerance or a buy-and-hold strategy.
QLD has generated strong returns over the long term. Since February 6th, 2010, QLD has produced an average annual return of 28.5%. Since January 1st, 2020, which includes two bear markets, it's up 28.9%. In 2024, QLD has outperformed the S&P 500 by over 10% year-to-date.